RAIL users are being warned not to travel by train during a week of planned strike action.

Train operator Northern is advising customers not to use its services between June 21 and 26 because of industrial action by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT).

The whole of the rail network is affected by strikes, planned for Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, June 21, 23 and 25.

Northern is currently working with Network Rail to agree on what services it can run, with the industry prioritising essential routes on mainlines and routes into major cities.

Therefore, the train operator is expecting to run a very limited timetable and is suggesting customers do not travel during the affected period, instead finding alternative transport for essential journeys.

Details of the services able to run will be released as soon as possible to customers, who are advised to visit northernrailway.co.uk/travel/strikes for the latest advice and information.

In response to the strikes, Northern’s chief operating officer Tricia Williams said: “Our ability to get customers where they want to be will be significantly impacted and our advice, regrettably, is simply not to travel during the week of strike action.

“We apologise in advance for the disruption and inconvenience that the RMT’s industrial action may cause.

“We continue to be keen to speak to the RMT to find a resolution and avoid any strikes.”

Northern usually runs nearly 2,000 services a day to 540 stations across the north of England.