Train services disrupted across Midlands as rail workers go on strike

Passengers on rail services operated by West Midlands Trains are facing disruption today, as rail workers strike in a long-running dispute over guards on trains.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union on West Midlands Trainswalked out for the first in a series of 24-hour strikes on the next fewSaturdays - hitting some of the busiest Christmas shopping days.

Picket lines are mounted outside stations, and fewer trains than normal are running.

Network Rail advises passengers to:

• Plan your journey

• Check before you travel at www.nationalrail.co.uk

• Know the times of your trains home

Extra staff will be on hand at Birmingham New Street station on Saturday to help passengers safely make their journeys to and from the station.

The upcoming strikes on West Midlands Trains will take place on:

• Saturday 23rd November

• Saturday 30th November

• Saturday 7th December

• Saturday 14th December

• Saturday 21st December

• Saturday 28th December

A spokesperson for West Midlands Trains said:

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