Transport bodies issue warnings ahead of strikes

Commuters are being warned to plan ahead and expect disruption tomorrow and on Monday 4 September as staff on rail services in the region hold strikes over planned moves to driver-only operated trains.

Staff on Northern Rail services are striking over the two weekdays, while Merseyrail services will also be affected on Sunday 3 September.

Most Northern services are not expected to run and those operating to a revised timetable will be extremely busy according to Transport for Greater Manchester, which is working with Northern on customer communications.

Monday 4 September is expected to be the most affected day as many schools return for the new academic year.

No rail services will operate between Manchester and Preston via Bolton as the line is currently closed due to a burst water main and a severely damaged bridge at Moses Gate, which is also causing disruption for road users.

In addition the A6 through Stockport is currently closed for engineering.

On Merseyrail, services will operate between 7am and 11am and later between 2pm and 7pm, with the first Sunday service running at 8am. There will be no trains running on the Hunts Cross, Kirkby or Ellesmere Port lines.

TfGM’s transport and event planning lead, John Fryer, said: “We are taking action to minimise the disruption to the transport network but we know it will still be very busy, particularly as many schools across the region return.

“Commuters can play their part to minimise disruption and our advice is simple: plan ahead, be prepared, and think about all your travel choices.”

TfGM said that it will deploy extra staff on Metrolink and at key bus stops to assist commuters, and work with highways authorities to suspend roadworks where possible and alter signal timings to ease traffic. Rail season tickets will be valid on Metrolink.

Advice for commuters can be found at nationalrail.co.uk or by following @northernassist with further Greater Manchester information at tfgm.com/industrial-action. Merseyrail timetables and information can be found at merseytravel.gov.uk/railstrike.