Avanti West Coast confirms timetable plans for forthcoming rail strikes

• No Avanti West Coast services will run on October 1 and 5; much reduced service on October 8
• Flexible travel policy in place to allow customers with tickets for strike days to travel on alternative dates
• Disruption will impact people heading to the London Marathon and other sporting events

Avanti West Coast has confirmed it will not be able to run any services on Saturday 1 October when members of ASLEF, the train drivers’ union, RMT and TSSA are due to strike.

The west coast operator will also be unable to run any services on Wednesday 5 October when further industrial action is planned by drivers. Strike action by RMT and TSSA members will also result in a much-reduced service on Saturday 8 October.

The industrial action will also mean a late start-up of services on Sunday 2 October and Sunday 9 October.

Avanti West Coast is advising customers to not travel on October 1 and October 5, and only travel if absolutely necessary on October 8 when services are due to finish much earlier than usual. Those that do run are expected to be very busy.

Customers with tickets for strike days can use these on alternative dates* or can claim a full refund from their point of purchase or can use those tickets on alternative dates.

The strikes will affect those intending to travel by rail to the London Marathon, Premier League fixtures on both weekends and Liverpool’s Champions League game against Rangers on Tuesday 4 October.

Barry Milsom, Executive Director Operations & Safety at Avanti West Coast, said: “Yet again our customers will bear the brunt of the industrial action and face more days of unnecessary disruption.

“The unions have deliberated targeted weekends where they know our services will be very busy. London Marathon runners, who we know like use the train to get to the capital, will have trained for months, only to have their plans disrupted.

“We need to be all working together for the long-term benefit of our people and customers. So, we ask the unions again to engage in meaningful industry reform talks around modernising working practices and developing a railway fit for the 21st century.

“I would like to reiterate my thanks to our customers for their patience and understanding.”