Avanti warns train passengers of reduced services ahead of rail strike

Trains appeared to be running at Euston.
Passengers urged to check before they travel due to strike action Credit: PA

Avanti West Coast is warning customers of reduced services due to a strike by train managers on Sunday.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) will walk out in a row over rosters.

A significantly reduced timetable will be in operation, and passengers are urged to check before they travel, with fewer services running during limited operating hours.

Strike action will hit services on Avanti West Coast line Credit: PA

On Sunday, the inter-city operator will run just ONE train per hour from London Euston to Manchester, Glasgow, and Liverpool.

Due to the limited journey options, fans attending the Comic Con event in Liverpool are advised to find alternative transport.

Characters taking part on Liverpool Comic Con Credit: Liverpool Echo

Services to Liverpool are going via the West Midlands - including calls at Coventry, Birmingham International, Birmingham New Street and Wolverhampton - due to planned upgrade work by Network Rail between Rugby and Stafford.

Due to limited operating hours, the first train of the day will depart Euston just after 8am and the last train of the day from Euston will leave mid-afternoon at about 4.30pm.

The major upgrade work will also mean services to some destinations will have longer journey times as trains are diverted.

North Wales, Shrewsbury, Chester, Blackpool and Edinburgh will have no Avanti West Coast services because the timetable is significantly reduced.

With fewer services running during shorter hours of operation, trains are expected to be busy and customers are strongly advised to check before they travel, including the details of their last train home.

The RMT said Avanti train managers are angry at having their work-life balance ruined, with significant cuts to rest days and short notice changes to shift patterns.

RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said his members want to see 'justice done on pay and working conditions'. Credit: PA

General secretary Mick Lynch said: "Avanti's treatment of their staff is some of the worst we've seen in the industry and their overall mismanagement of the franchise is causing repeated cancellations for passengers.

"Avanti continue to operate with a siege mentality hoping that our members will simply give in.

"The truth is they need to negotiate rosters properly with our union and run the railway in a professional way.

"That seems a long way off and our industrial campaign will continue into next month."