RAIL passengers are being warned of major disruption later this week due to further strike action by a union representing train drivers.

Operator Northern has warned there will be no services across the North of England next Thursday (May 9) due to the latest industrial action by ASLEF.

TransPennine Express, which runs some services through the borough, also says its services will not be running along its routes on that day.

Disruption is also likely on days before and after strike action, meaning passengers are advised to plan carefully for any rail journeys as services may start later and finish earlier than usual.

The union, which largely represents train drivers, has called multiple strikes on different days at train operators across the country.

Customers connecting on to services with other train operators are advised to check before they travel for all journeys between Monday 6 and Saturday, May 11.

During that period, Northern says its services are likely to be busier than usual as people take alternative routes to avoid strikes elsewhere.

Tricia Williams, chief operating officer for Northern, said: “Unfortunately, the action by ASLEF on Thursday 9 May will see our network grind to a halt.

“On the days when strikes are taking place with other train operators, we will do everything we can to keep our services moving and absorb those extra passengers trying to travel across the region.

“We can only apologise, once again, for the disruption this action by ASLEF will cause to people in the North of England.”

Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, with 2,500 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.

For more information about the strike, visit: www.northernrailway.co.uk/travel/strikes.