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.