Avanti West Coast confirms travel advice for latest strikes

• Customers told not to attempt travel on 1 September, as no Avanti West Coast services will operate due to strike action by drivers
• Reduced timetable and shorter hours of operation during RMT strike on 2 September could result in busy trains   
• Customers advised to check before they travel and be aware of last train home  

Avanti West Coast has issued travel advice for strike action by ASLEF and RMT, which will significantly disrupt services later this week.

Customers are being told not to attempt travel on Friday 1 September – when the train driver’s union, ASLEF, go on strike – because Avanti West Coast will be unable to run any services.  

With no trains running to and from all destinations across the network during the ASLEF industrial action, customers are advised to claim a refund, seek alternative transport, or rearrange journeys for another date.

Many destinations on the West Coast Main Line will have no rail connectivity on 1 September and rail replacement services will not be in place either.  

On Saturday 2 September, customers are strongly advised to check before they travel as the intercity operator will be running a reduced timetable. This is in response to strike action by the RMT which is coordinated across 14 train companies. Avanti West Coast will operate one train per hour from London Euston to Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, and Preston, with a limited service to Carlisle.

Trains will operate over reduced hours on Saturday, with the first train of the day departing Euston shortly before 8am and the last train of the day from Euston departing shortly after 5pm.

The significantly reduced timetable means North Wales, Shrewsbury, Chester, Blackpool, Stoke-on-Trent, Glasgow, and Edinburgh will have no Avanti West Coast services on 2 September. Macclesfield and Runcorn stations will also be closed due to operational reasons.

With fewer services running, a considerably reduced operation and sporting fixtures taking place at destinations along the West Coast Main Line on 2 September, trains could be busy. Customers are strongly advised to plan ahead, make a reservation, check before they travel, and be aware of their last train home.

Avanti West Coast will also be operating an amended timetable from Sunday 3 to Sunday 10 September due to planned engineering work by Network Rail in the Northampton area. As a result, there will be a slightly reduced service across routes and trains may be busier.

Customers with tickets for 1 September (purchased before 11 August) or 2 September (purchased before 18 August) can claim a full fee-free refund from their point of purchase. Alternatively, tickets dated 1 or 2 September can be used on Thursday 31 August or up to and including Tuesday 5 September.

Andy Mellors, Managing Director at Avanti West Coast, said: “We’re sorry our customers will face disruption to their journeys when ASLEF and RMT members go on strike later this week. For many this is the last weekend of their summer holidays and with no services on 1 September and a significantly reduced timetable on 2 September it will severely impact their plans.  

“The advice to all our customers making journeys on 2 September is to plan ahead, check before you travel and be aware of your last train home. We’d like to thank our customers for their continued patience and understanding.

“Any customers with tickets for 1 or 2 September can make their journey on alternative days or claim a full refund.”

ENDS