Network Rail is warning passengers to only travel if it’s absolutely necessary and to check their journeys this Christmas, as strike action and crucial engineering work takes place.
On Christmas Eve (24 December), trains will stop much earlier than usual as members of the RMT Union at Network Rail and many train operators begin strike action. It means that the last trains out of Leeds station to key destinations will leave as early as midday.
People are being urged to plan ahead and avoid travelling on Christmas Eve wherever they can. Those who absolutely need to travel by train should check their journey, set off in the morning and expect disruption.
Matt Rice, North & East Route Director for Network Rail said: “Our teams are stepping up to run as many trains as we can in the run-up to Christmas, but with strike action on Christmas Eve, we’re asking passengers to plan ahead and travel as early as possible to keep their plans on track. We’ll also be completing some crucial work over the festive period to offer a more reliable railway for the future.”
David Davidson, Network Rail’s interim Western route director, said: “We’re really sorry that passengers are facing further, unnecessary disruption this Christmas Eve due to RMT strike action.
“Services will finish much earlier and we’re asking passengers to only travel if absolutely necessary and if you must travel, please so as early as possible, plan ahead, book a seat and complete their journey by lunchtime.
“I would like to wish everyone a healthy happy Christmas festive period and recognise the many Network Rail colleagues who will be working tirelessly over the festive period to complete vital engineering work that helps maintain and improve the safe and reliable running of the railway.”
Passengers can find the latest train times and travel advice using National Rail or their train operator’s website.
A number of crucial engineering projects will still go ahead as planned to offer a more modern, reliable railway in the future, taking advantage of the railway being closed as usual on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, including:
- Major work to ready the Transpennine route for full electrification will power ahead near Manchester Victoria, Collyhurst, Miles Platting and York
- Investigative work through railway tunnels and bridges between Huddersfield and Dewsbury, where the line is set to benefit from twice as many tracks in the future
- Track upgrades through Leeds, Neville Hill Depot, Holbeck and Wakefield Kirkgate to boost reliability
- A four-day closure around Morley station while track is replaced and preparations continue for a brand-new station between Saturday 31 December until Monday 2 January
- Crucial upgrades to the tracks through York station to bring more reliable journeys
- In the South West of England, engineers will be installing piles at Dawlish station as well as continuing the construction of the rockfall shelter round the corner at Parsons Tunnel
- In the West of England, engineers will be renewing parts of the track near Bristol Parkway, replacing sleepers in Yate and inspecting the condition of the overhead electrical cables. Work to renew a bridge on the quarry freight line in Frome will also be completed
- In the Thames Valley, there are critical improvements to the overhead electrical cables in Reading and at London Paddington.
- Manchester Piccadilly station being closed entirely between Christmas Day (Sunday 25) and Tuesday 27 December for roof repairs, and platforms 13 and 14 being closed to trains for ten days between Sunday 25 December and Tuesday 3 January for resurfacing work.With those platforms closed there will be only one direct service per hour between Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport.
- Major bridge renewals on the West Coast main line in Camden and Milton Keynes which will impact journeys between Rugby and Milton Keynes 27-28 December and 1 January.
- Journeys across the North between Manchester and York will also be disrupted by ongoing work on the Transpennine Route Upgrade. This will see journeys impacted between Leeds and Huddersfield from 31 December until 3 January while work continues to deliver a new station at Morley.
Photo credit: Network Rail
