Passengers in the Harrogate and Knaresborough area are set to face further train strikes this bank holiday weekend.
Members of the ASLEF and RMT unions will be carrying out industrial action tomorrow (August 26) in a dispute over pay.
It means no trains will run through Harrogate and Knaresborough tomorrow.
This will affect people travelling to York Races for the Ebor meeting, which includes the prestigious Ebor Handicap.
Knaresborough station
Northern has also urged passengers to check before they travel on Sunday (August 27) as train services will start later.
Tricia Williams, chief operating officer at Northern, said:
“We know these RMT strikes will cause disruption to the general public.
“Whilst this is only a one-day strike, it falls right in the middle of the busy August bank holiday weekend and will impact people trying to get to major events taking place across region, including Manchester United and Everton football fixtures, York Races, Leeds Festival, Creamfields and Manchester Pride.
“The RMT is still refusing to put the latest pay offer negotiated on behalf of train operators to a vote by their members and it is unfortunate that these strikes continue for their second summer.”
Meanwhile, further union strike action will be taken on September 1 and September 2.
Mick Lynch, general secretary at the RMT Union, said:
“The mood among our members remains solid and determined in our national dispute over pay, job security and working conditions.”
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No normal service on Harrogate and Knaresborough trains until January 9
Rail operator Northern has warned of ongoing disruption until January 9.
The company, which operates the Leeds to York line that passes through Harrogate and Knaresborough, has published a calendar highlighting its travel guidance to customers over Christmas and the New Year.
It shows the next day of normal service is not for another 21 days.
Northern has blamed the situation predominantly on the RMT union, even though it only has strikes planned from January 3 to 7. However, an RMT national overtime ban from December 18 to January 2 has also affected services.
The union has accused the government of interfering in negotiations with Network Rail to reach a settlement on jobs, pay and conditions.
Tricia Williams, chief operating officer at Northern, said:
“The main cause of the disruption remains industrial action by the RMT union and we can only apologise to our customers for the inconvenience it will cause to their journeys.”
Northern’s new timetable came into effect just before this extended period of disruption, so it is advising customers to use the new Check My Timetable feature on its website to see the changes specific to their local station.
Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, with nearly 2,500 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.
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Rail strike to disrupt Harrogate district travel to York’s Ebor Festival
No trains will operate in the Harrogate district today due to the latest rail strike.
The strike will cause disruption for people travelling to the final day of the Ebor Festival at York Racecourse.
Today’s Sky Bet Ebor is the richest flat handicap in Europe and always attracts huge crowds.
A spokesman for the racecourse told the Stray Ferret
“It’s not our dispute – it’s frustrating and disappointing for lots of people that the two parties don’t seem to have reached a resolution.
“We will leave the car parks open and unlocked so people can leave their cars and come back to collect them on Sunday.”
The spokesman said Harrogate had good bus connections with York and racegoers from the town faced fewer travel problems than those from many other places.
He added free shuttle buses operated throughout the day between York train station and the racecourse on Knavesmire Road.
Today’s national strike is the second in three days. The Rail, Maritime and Transport union also called a one-day strike on the underground in London yesterday over jobs and pensions.
Transport Secretary Grants Shapps has threatened to limit union power and force through legislation for changes to the railways if the strikes are not settled.
Machines are Harrogate station urging people not to travel today.
Rail strike: No trains through Harrogate and Knaresborough as walkout begins
No trains will run through Harrogate and Knaresborough today as unions hold the first day of strike action.
The two-day walkout will affect services to York and Leeds and see a reduced timetable at other stations.
There will also be no trains running through Harrogate and Knaresborough on Saturday.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport workers’ union and Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association are staging the national walkout over pay and conditions.
Northern, which operates trains in Harrogate and Knaresborough, has advised passengers not to travel on its services.
Ticket machines at Harrogate Train Station advising people not to travel on strike days.
It added that passengers may still face disruption on non-strike days.
Northern said:
“RMT and TSSA unions have called for industrial action on Thursday 18 and Saturday 20 August. We are advising Northern customers not to travel on these days.
“We also expect disruption to services on Friday 19 and Sunday 21 August, especially in the morning. Customers are urged to check before they travel on these days.”
LNER, which operates direct services to London King’s Cross from Harrogate, has also warned passengers may face disruption on its services on non-strike days.
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Rail strike: 10% of Harrogate and Knaresborough trains to run today
Rail services in Harrogate and Knaresborough will be severely affected by a second day of strike action today.
Only about 10% of services are expected to operate on the line between York and Leeds.
Rail operator Northern is expected to be among the worst affected by today’s industrial action by the RMT union.
A third strike is expected on Saturday.
People hoping to travel by train to the first day of the England vs New Zealand Test match at Headingley will be among those affected.
Harrogate station has been largely deserted for the last two days.
Many services ran yesterday but passengers had heeded warnings not to travel.
Rail campaigner Brian Dunsby, of the Harrogate Line Supporters Group, said:
“We are very concerned that this unnecessary national rail strike will risk driving people away from rail and thereby undermine and set back rail’s steady recovery from the pandemic.
“We express deep regret and concern given the uncertainty the industry and its consumers face following the effects of covid on passenger numbers.
“We ask management and government to get talking to the unions resolve things and for everyone to avoid further aggravating tensions by making hostile or critical comments. We urge the union to be more considerate of the impact on passengers of all categories.”
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- No trains in Harrogate and Knaresborough as strike begins
A statement by Northern said:
“Customer safety is our priority, we advise you not to travel between Tuesday 21 and Sunday 26 June and make alternative plans.
“There will be no replacement buses or alternative travel provided.”