Train operator warns of major disruption at Wolverhampton and Birmingham tomorrow despite cancellation of strike
A train company has warned passengers in Birmingham and Wolverhampton of weekend disruption despite a planned strike being called off.
CrossCountry customers are being warned of significant travel disruption tomorrow (Saturday), despite the suspension of planned industrial action.
A limited train service will remain in operation from and to Wolverhampton and Birmingham New Street and customers are advised to check the CrossCountry website before travelling.
The strike would have seen union members – including train managers and senior conductors - declining to work.
Although after discussions this week the union has agreed to suspend the strike on Saturday, rail industry timelines mean it is too late to reinstate a normal timetable on the operator's network.
No CrossCountry services will call at Wolverhampton, Coventry, Durham, Chesterfield, Basingstoke, Dunbar, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Alnmouth, Worcestershire Parkway, Wakefield Westgate, or Morpeth, with customers encouraged to instead use shorter-distance services.
Services from Birmingham to Reading will run every three hours with trains every two hours in the opposite direction.
There will be no services between Birmingham and Cardiff.
CrossCountry's managing director Shiona Rolfe said: “Though we are pleased to have made progress in our negotiations with RMT colleagues, I am sincerely sorry for the significant disruption that customers will nonetheless experience this Saturday.
"Timetabling processes require train operators to finalise planned services several days in advance, which means that we are not able to reinstate a normal timetable for CrossCountry services in time for Saturday.
“I would urge all those planning to travel on CrossCountry routes this Saturday to check options to change or cancel their journey at no cost on the CrossCountry website.”
There is also engineering work planned over the weekend, which will also impact certain CrossCountry services. Full details can be found on the operator's website or National Rail's enquiries page.
