Avanti West Coast trains from Stoke-on-Trent are cancelled due to strikes starting this Sunday, affecting services until May 25.
Avanti West Coast is asking folks to rethink their travel plans. They’re saying it’s best to travel on other days since the strikes will keep happening every Sunday until late May. On those strike days, expect a much lighter schedule with fewer trains running.
And if you do manage to catch a train, be ready for it to be packed. There’s also some engineering work going on, which means the timetable might change a bit, and it could take longer to finalize.
On Sunday, they’ll be running just one train an hour from London Euston to places like Birmingham and Manchester. But if you’re in Stoke-on-Trent, Macclesfield, or even heading to Blackpool or Edinburgh, you’re out of luck with no Avanti services available.
There’s also some planned engineering work affecting Lancaster and parts of the Lake District, so keep that in mind. Avanti is urging everyone to plan ahead and check their travel details, especially for the last train home.
Kathryn O’Brien from Avanti expressed disappointment over the strikes, saying it’s tough for customers who might be trying to visit family or enjoy a day out. She’s encouraging anyone with tickets for strike days to consider traveling on different dates or to get a full refund.
On the flip side, RMT’s general secretary, Mick Lynch, is calling out Avanti for paying replacement managers a hefty amount while the regular staff are struggling. He’s pushing for a fair deal that addresses the staffing shortages and working conditions.
So, if you’re planning to travel, keep an eye on the updates and be prepared for some disruptions. It’s going to be a bit of a bumpy ride for a while!
