No trains will run through Harrogate and Knaresborough today as a national strike gets underway.

Harrogate station was deserted this morning with no picketers outside. However, the ticket office was still manned.

The RMT union has called the strike, which is also scheduled for Thursday and Saturday, over pay and conditions.

Thousands of drivers, signal operators and guards will walk out, crippling services.

Timetables published by Northern don’t show any trains on the Harrogate line on Tuesday or Thursday this week and there will be no replacement buses.

The train operator is currently expecting to run limited services on Saturday, although the company has warned of disruption and urged people to seek alternative travel.

LNER will also be running no services to London King’s Cross from Harrogate on all three strike days.

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Some trains are expected to run on non-strike days, however Northern has warned that services could still be affected.

The company is advising passengers not to travel on trains on any day between Tuesday and Sunday.

Three weekends of rail disruption in and around Harrogate will begin this weekend.

The disruption is due to a £9.8 million project that will enable trains to run more frequently between Leeds and York.

North Yorkshire County Council and the York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership is funding the upgrades, with Network Rail carrying out the work.

Network Rail will begin by installing equipment at Harrogate’s train station this weekend that enables trains to change track.

Read more:

• LNER to increase train numbers on East Coast line from tomorrow
• Full steam ahead for micropub at Knaresborough train station

Weekends of disruption

• November 22 – Northern services will be replaced by road transport between Horsforth and York. LNER services between London King’s Cross and Harrogate will start or terminate at Leeds.
• November 28 to 29 – Northern services between Knaresborough and York will be replaced by bus services on Saturday and between Horsforth and York on Sunday
• December 5 to December 6 – The line between Horsforth and York will be closed from 23:30 on Saturday with bus replacement services in place. On Sunday Northern services will be replaced by buses between Horsforth and Harrogate/York. LNER services will start or terminate at Leeds.

North Yorkshire county councillor Don Mackenzie, the executive member for access, said:

““When complete, it will significantly enhance the rail infrastructure in the north. The capacity of services as well as their frequency will be increased, making it much more convenient and reliable for passengers using this line.”