In line with disruption to services operated by other train operating companies, services operated by Avanti West Coast will be severely disrupted next week by two 48-hour strikes by RMT and TSSA members.
The strikes are set to take place on Tuesday/Wednesday 13/14 December and Friday/Saturday 16/17 December. As a result, Avanti West Coast will only be able to operate less than a third of its new December timetable.
As there are fewer services running trains could be very busy, and customers should only attempt to travel if absolutely necessary. In particular, they should plan ahead, expect disruption, and check the details of their last train home. Anyone who does not travel can claim a refund of their ticket from where they purchased it.
Services that do run will only operate during limited hours. The first train of the day will depart from Euston just before 8am, and the last train of the day from Euston will depart mid-afternoon.
The following service arrangements are currently planned for the strike days:
- One train per hour will operate between Euston and each of Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, and Preston.
- Four of the Preston trains will be extended to Glasgow.
- There will be no trains to North Wales, Shrewsbury, Blackpool, or Edinburgh.
- Trains will not stop at Stoke-on-Trent, Macclesfield, Stockport, or Runcorn, and these stations will not be open.
- Avanti West Coast will not serve Wilmslow and Motherwell due to operational reasons.
On the days following the strikes, Thursday 15 and Sunday, 18 December, services will start later that normal. Also, trains that do run on those these days are likely to be extremely busy and seat cannot be guaranteed. If possible, customers should apply for a full refund and rebook onto an alternative service.
Tickets for 13, 14, 16, 17 December can be used the day before the date on the ticket, or up to and including Tuesday 20 December.
A revised timetable for service on Avanti West Coast on the December strike days as well as travel advice can be found at https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/travel-information/plan-your-journey/strike
Barry Milsom, Executive Director of Operations and Safety at Avanti West Coast, said: “This latest round of strike action is designed to cause maximum impact to our customers. At a crucial time of the year, when the railway plays a vital role, the RMT has shown no regard for those looking forward to spending time over the Festive period with their family and friends.
“We're strongly advising customers to only travel where absolutely necessary on the days affected and if possible, claim a full refund. We understand some people will have no choice but to travel and they should check our website for the latest updates before making their journey.
“I would like to thank our customers for their continued patience and understanding and urge the unions to accept the offer that was put to them last week, and work with us to modernise working practices and develop a railway fit for the 21st century.”
Whatever happens the Rail Operating Contract should be taken away from AWC and put in hands of Operator of Last Resort (= Government run, like Northern Rail and LNER).Whether or not that will make it a bit easier to deal with unions , who are he’ll bent in getting 100% their own way, remains to be seen.
The other general comment, about the prevailing strike situation is, what is the point having a railway we cannot rely on one iota. We all end up paying for it whether we are rail users or not.
What Avanti West Coast services? (Says someone who recently tried to get to Preston – and back. And without taking out a second mortgage).