The latest national rail strike will have knock-on effect for some Metrolink services, bosses have warned. More than 40,000 workers at Network Rail and more than a dozen train companies are to stage a fresh strike on Wednesday in the bitter dispute over jobs, pay and conditions.
With only a fifth of trains expected to to run on around half of the rail network, passengers are being urged not to travel on Wednesday. The strike will also affect Metrolink’s Altrincham line, with trams only able to operate between Altrincham and Timperley from 7am and 7pm.
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This is because Metrolink relies on Network Rail signallers through that section of the network. Outside of these times a replacement bus service will operate between the affected stops.
Piccadilly train station will be closed from 7pm on Wednesday until 7am on Thursday, but Piccadilly Metrolink stop will remain open with access from the walkway next to the taxi rank on Fairfield Street. Metrolink say additional double trams will also be running across on strike days.
Alex Cropper. Transport for Greater Manchester's head of operations, said: "The message to avoid rail travel during the industrial action days is very clear from train operators – meaning tens of thousands of displaced journeys in Greater Manchester alone. We are expecting some passengers to adapt their journey plans and I would remind people that there are thousands of free car parking spaces available at our park and ride sites across Greater Manchester at key local bus and Metrolink - offering a great alternative to get around.
"However you do plan to get around, our key bit of advice is to plan your journey in advance and allow extra time when travelling."
Mick Lynch, Rail, Maritime and Transport union general secretary, said union members were more determined than ever to secure a decent pay rise, job security and good working conditions. He added: "Network Rail have not made any improvement on their previous pay offer and the train companies have not offered us anything new. In fact Network Rail have upped the ante, threatening to impose compulsory redundancies and unsafe 50% cuts to maintenance work if we did not withdraw our planned strike action.
"The train operating companies have put driver-only operations on the table along with ransacking our members' terms and conditions. RMT will continue to negotiate in good faith but we will not be bullied or cajoled by anyone. The Government need to stop their interference in this dispute so the rail employers can come to a negotiated settlement with us."
Andrew Haines, Network Rail chief executive, said: "Despite our best efforts to find a breakthrough, I'm afraid there will be more disruption for passengers this week as the RMT seems hell-bent on continuing their political campaigning, rather than compromising and agreeing a deal for their members. I can only apologise for the impact this pointless strike will have on passengers, especially those travelling for holidays or attending events such as the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 semi-final and the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.
"It is frustrating to yet again ask our passengers to change their plans and only make essential journeys. Only around half of Britain's rail network will be open on Wednesday, with a very limited service running on lines that will only be open from around 7.30am until 6.30pm.
"Passengers who must travel are urged to plan ahead to ensure that they can complete their journeys within this window, with last services from London to Scotland, for example, leaving in the early afternoon."
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