As train services prepare to wind down today ahead of the looming rail strike, the Stray Ferret went to Harrogate station this morning to speak to commuters.
No trains will run between York and Leeds on Tuesday and Thursday this week, which will affect rail passengers in Harrogate and Knaresborough.
Further strike action is planned on Saturday and rail operator Northern is urging people not to travel on trains between tomorrow and Sunday.
No replacement buses are being put on.
The RMT union has called the strike over pay and conditions. It will see thousands of drivers, signal operators and guards walk out.
Commuters in Harrogate said they had been forced to change their working days this week or work from home. Some have had to rearrange or cancel meetings.
Kevin Dalton told us:
“I’m not a regular train user as I work from home most of the time.
“But I had a meeting this week and I’ve had to rearrange to today just so I can make it. The idea of driving into Leeds or York for 9am just isn’t worth thinking about.”
For others still having to travel into the office, the additional petrol and taxi fees were a concern.
Read more:
- No trains for two days in Harrogate this week as strike action hits
- Council shelves Knaresborough and Ripon travel plans
Kayleigh, who works at Hornbeam Park and asked not to publish her surname, said:
“I’ve had to arrange for someone to come and pick me up and bring me home each day.
“It is an inconvenience, I work with people from York and Leeds so they’ve either got to work from home or spend two and a half hours on the bus.”
Another commuter, Diane Hitchen, sympathised with the strikers and said the difficulties it is causing highlighted how much rail workers do. She added:
“I have a lot of teacher friends who have taken strike action before so I understand why.
“Clearly rail workers feel they have to make an impact for their requests to be met.”
Northern has said it will publish its Sunday timetable shortly.
Further details on how the strike will affects services are available here.
