Avanti West Coast issues travel advice ahead of latest strike action by RMT

• Avanti West Coast to operate reduced timetable during RMT strike on 26 August
• Combination of major events, less frequent service, and shorter hours of operation could result in busy trains
• Customers advised to check before they travel and be aware of last train home  

Avanti West Coast is advising customers to check before they travel during the RMT’s latest strike over the August Bank Holiday weekend. 

On Saturday 26 August, the intercity operator will be running a reduced timetable 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 26 August. Macclesfield and Oxenholme stations will also be closed due to operational reasons.

With fewer services running, a considerably reduced operation and major events taking place at destinations along the West Coast Main Line during the Bank Holiday weekend, 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 a reduced timetable on Sunday 27 and Monday 28 August due to planned engineering work. In addition, upgrade work between Stoke-on-Trent and Macclesfield will result in both stations being served by rail replacement bus services on Sunday 27 August, and additionally at Macclesfield on Monday 28 August.

Customers with tickets for 26 August (purchased before 11 August) can claim a full fee-free refund from their point of purchase. Alternatively, tickets dated 26 August can be used the day before or up to and including 29 August.  

Andy Mellors, Managing Director at Avanti West Coast, said: “We’re sorry our customers will face disruption to their journeys over the August Bank Holiday weekend when RMT members go on strike.

“As part of our contingency plans for Saturday 26 August we’ll be operating a reduced timetable, so all our customers should plan ahead, check before they travel and be aware of their last train home. We’d like to thank our customers for their continued patience and understanding during this time.

“Any customers with tickets for 26 August can make their journey on alternative days or claim a full refund.”

Further strike action by ASLEF on and RMT next month will impact Avanti West Coast services – with no service on Friday 1 September and a significantly reduced timetable in place on Saturday 2 September.*

ENDS