Because of strike action by employees of Network Rail who are members of the RMT union, there will be significant disruption to train services throughout Scotland next week.
Although ScotRail staff are not involved in the dispute, it will have a major impact on the services as the RMT's planned action involves Network Rail staff in Scotland.
The strikes, which are in support of a pay dispute with Network Rail, are to be held on Tuesday, 3rd, Wednesday, 4th, Friday, 6th, and Saturday, 7th January. Many Network Rail staff due to take part in the strikes occupy safety-critical roles, which means that it will not be possible for ScotRail to run most of its normal services.
A certain number of trains will operate on strike days between 07.30 and 18.30 only, and only on 12 routes across the central belt, Fife, and the Borders.
Services that will operate on the strike days are:
- Edinburgh Waverley to Glasgow Queen Street via Falkirk High: two trains per hour
- Edinburgh Waverley to Helensburgh Central: two trains per hour
- Glasgow Central to Hamilton/Larkhall: two trains per hour
- Glasgow Central to Lanark: two trains per hour
- Edinburgh Waverley to Glasgow Central via Shotts: one train per hour
- Edinburgh Waverley to Cowdenbeath: two trains per hour
- Edinburgh Waverley to Tweedbank: two trains per hour
- Edinburgh Waverley to North Berwick: one train per hour
- Edinburgh Waverley to Larbert: one train per hour
- Glasgow Queen Street to Larbert: one train per hour
- Glasgow Queen Street to Falkirk Grahamston: one train per hour
- Milngavie to Springburn: two trains per hour
Although it is planned to run trains up to 18.30, the final services will depart well before then, so customers should plan ahead and ensure they know when their last train will depart.
On the non-strike day, Thursday, 5th January, the same limited timetable will be in operation, but ScotRail hopes to add some additional routes, although customers should check ScotRail's website at scotrail.co.uk and journey planner for details before they travel. Further information can be obtained online at www.scotrail.co.uk/strike.
Outside the Central Belt, there is a greater reliance on manual signalling. Consequently, on strike days, Network Rail cannot facilitate passenger services on any other routes.
David Simpson, ScotRail Service Delivery Director, said: “It's really disappointing to see more widespread disruption across the whole Great Britain rail network as a result of the dispute between Network Rail and the RMT at a time when we need to be encouraging more people back to the railway.
“For ScotRail, it's going to mean that we won't be able to operate the vast majority of our services between 3 and 7 January, which we know will be really frustrating for our customers.
“We're advising customers to seek alternative means of transport and to only travel if they really need to on the days of strike action.
“Customers should check their journey in advance to make sure your train is running.”
I really don’t know why I bought a railcard!