ScotRail has issued a warning to travellers as it expects "significant disruption" this weekend amid the latest round of UK-wide strike action by RMT members of Network Rail.
The RMT has confirmed that its Network Rail members will hold industrial action on November 5, November 7, and November 9 across the UK. It follows a pay dispute with the track and infrastructure operator.
As a result, ScotRail will operate only a very limited number of services on a small number of routes. While the dispute does not involve ScotRail workers, it will have a significant effect on its ability to provide services as the strikes will include Network Rail staff in Scotland.
READ MORE — Mum shares 'genius' money-saving Christmas selection box hack
A number of Network Rail staff due to take part in the strikes work in crucial safety roles, and so it will therefore not be possible for the operator to run the majority of its services. On the days of the strike action, ScotRail has confirmed it will run a similar service level as the previous strikes on October 1 and October 8.
It will run services on 11 routes across the Central Belt, Fife, and the Borders between the hours of 7.30am and 6.30pm. The routes that will be in operation are as follows:
- Edinburgh Waverley – Glasgow Queen Street via Falkirk High: two trains per hour
- Edinburgh Waverley – Helensburgh Central: two trains per hour (on 5 November this will operate Edinburgh Waverley - Dalmuir only due to pre-planned engineering works)
- Glasgow Central – Hamilton/Larkhall: two trains per hour
- Glasgow Central – Lanark: two trains per hour
- Edinburgh Waverley – Glasgow Central via Shotts: one train per hour
- Edinburgh Waverley – Cowdenbeath: two trains per hour
- Edinburgh Waverley – Tweedbank: two trains per hour
- Edinburgh Waverley - Larbert: one train per hour
- Glasgow Queen Street – Larbert: one train per hour
- Glasgow Queen Street – Falkirk Grahamston: one train per hour
- Milngavie – Springburn: two trains per hour
ScotRail has also warned passengers that the last services will depart "well before" 6.30pm, and so they should plan ahead to make sure they are aware when their last train will leave. Because of the larger reliance on manual signalling outside the Central Belt, Network Rail is unable to facilitate passenger services on any other routes on the strike days.
The operator has issued the following three "important messages" for travellers:
- There will be no service except on 11 ScotRail routes across the Central Belt, Fife, and Borders.
- For the routes on which will operate a service, customers should only travel if they really need to and should consider alternative options where possible.
- Please check the status of your journey on the ScotRail website or app before travelling.
In addition, ScotRail has asked customers planning to attend the Scotland v Fiji match at Murrayfield on Saturday to plan ahead if they are travelling via train. It states that "long queues at stations are expected when heading to and from the match due to the limited service in place".
There will also be knock-on effects of the strikes on November 6, November 7, and November 10. On these days, there will be disruption caused by the reopening of signal boxes at different times across the country.
ScotRail stated: "While large signalling centres in the central belt will be able to operate from 7.15am, this will not be the case at manual boxes elsewhere and it may well be much later before many routes are able to operate as normal. This is particularly the case for routes beyond the central belt.
"Customers with an Advance, Off-Peak, or Anytime ticket dated 5, 7, or 9 November can use it for travel the day before, or up to and including Friday, 11 November. Customers can also change their tickets to travel on an alternate date or get a refund if their train is cancelled or rescheduled."
Customers are advised to check the ScotRail app or visit scotrail.co.uk for the latest information before travelling.
ScotRail Service Delivery Director David Simpson said: “Once again, it’s really disappointing to see the dispute between Network Rail and the RMT result in more widespread disruption across the whole Great Britain rail network 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, which we know will be really frustrating for our customers.
“ScotRail customers should expect significant disruption to services on strike days, as well as on the days after industrial action. We’re advising customers to seek alternative means of transport and to only travel if you really need to on the days of strike action.
“Customers should check your journey in advance to make sure your train is running if you’re travelling on one of the days following strike action.”
READ MORE —
Households with children up to 16 to get November income boost
Glasgow property: Pub with 3 bedroom flat just outside city for sale for £75,000
Ryanair issues travel warning to people with November flights booked
£400 energy rebate may be used by supplier to pay off account arrears this winter
Glasgow one of top five hottest UK 2023 destinations according to Booking.com
