'TRAVEL today' - that's the advice of a rail operator in York ahead of strike action this weekend.
CrossCountry has advised passengers not to put off Bank Holiday travel, but to go as soon as possible on Friday (August 22) and to avoid coming back until after the Bank Holiday weekend.
As The Press previously reported, 'significant disruption' is expected on their services this weekend due to industrial action.
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CrossCountry say they will operate a reduced timetable this weekend with no services on Saturday, August 23 and a very limited service on Bank Holiday Monday, August 25, with services on the Sunday also likely to be subject to cancellations across all CrossCountry routes.
The train operator said industrial action by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) will see union members, including train managers and senior conductors walk out.
A CrossCountry spokesperson said: "While some managers are available to help provide a limited service on Monday, this being a holiday weekend has reduced the number able to work on Saturday, meaning no services can operate.
"Passengers are strongly advised not to travel on Saturday, August 23, and travel either side of the Bank Holiday weekend.
"A very limited service will operate on Monday, August 25 between 8am and 6pm, and passengers are advised to check their journeys carefully before departing and expect all services to be busy.
"Specific journey details will be available on our website.
"There will only be a very limited service to the South West and north of York.
"However, there will be no CrossCountry service between Birmingham, Reading and the South Coast, and no service between Leicester, Cambridge and Stansted Airport."
A spokesperson for the RMT said its members voted strongly in favour of industrial action and the union is seeking further talks with management to bring about a negotiated settlement.
Shiona Rolfe, CrossCountry’s managing director, said: “We are disappointed for our passengers that the RMT has announced strikes on Saturday and Monday, August 23 and 25.
"It is hugely disappointing to not operate any services on Saturday, knowing the inevitable disruption to many of our passengers’ journeys over the Bank Holiday weekend.
"We are committed to reaching an agreement with the RMT and remain available to continue talks.”
The train operator said all passengers planning to travel with CrossCountry over the August Bank Holiday weekend should check before they travel with National Rail Enquiries or via www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/travel-information/disruption/industrial-action
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