'Few services after 5pm' - Northern announces timetables for RMT strike on 15 December

The RMT strike action, planned for 15, 22 and 29 December, will see Northern running approximately 700 services during each Saturday – but with very few Northern services running after 5pm.

Those Northern services that do run, and other operators’ services, are expected to be extremely busy as the build-up to Christmas continues.

This weekend we have managed to add some extra services in the north east on the following routes:

• 8.25am Middlesbrough to Newcastle
• 10.41am Newcastle to Hartlepool
• 12.05pm Hartlepool to Newcastle
• 1.41pm Newcastle to Middlesbrough
• 3.32pm Middlesbrough to Newcastle
• 5.41pm Newcastle to Middlesbrough

Northern has called for RMT to suspend its damaging December strike action and return to talks at ACAS. RMT has made agreements with other train operators that it refuses to discuss with Northern.

David Brown, Managing Director at Northern, said: “By the end of December, we will have had 19 consecutive Saturdays of RMT strike action. This targeted action disrupts our customers’ lives. But, as we enter a vital period for businesses, it also damages the economic wellbeing of the north of England.

“We have fantastic colleagues who have supported customers by keeping our trains running on each of the RMT strike days. We are aiming to keep as many people moving as possible and ensuring customers can still travel into the biggest towns and cities for the big seasonal events including Christmas markets – but with very few services running after 5pm.

“We expect all of our services, and those of other operators, to be extremely busy and are calling on our customers to plan their travel carefully for the coming weekend, check the new timetables well in advance, and make sure they do not rely on the last trains home.”

As well as Christmas markets, there are a number of significant sporting fixtures and other events this weekend and customers are asked to check timetables and plan carefully

Manchester Christmas Markets services

• BOLTON – Up to four trains per hour between Bolton and Manchester, last train to Bolton is at 5.35pm from Victoria
• KIRKBY – No Northern trains to Manchester, customers should seek alternative means of transport
• LIVERPOOL – No Northern trains to Manchester, customers should seek alternative means of transport
• WIGAN WALLGATE – No Northern trains to Manchester, customers should seek alternative means of transport
• WARRINGTON CENTRAL – No Northern trains to Manchester – customers should seek alternative means of transport
• ALDERLEY EDGE – One train every two hours – last train to Alderley Edge is at 4.38pm from Piccadilly
• MACCLESFIELD – One train every two hours – last train to Macclesfield is at 4.47pm
• BUXTON – One train per hour between Buxton and Manchester – last train to Buxton is at 5.24pm from Piccadilly
• ROSE HILL MARPLE – No Northern trains to Manchester, customers should seek alternative means of transport
• ROCHDALE – One train per hour between Rochdale and Manchester – last train to Rochdale is at 5.17pm from Victoria
• HADFIELD/GLOSSOP – One train per hour in each direction – last train to Hadfield/Glossop is at 5.29pm from Piccadilly

Football

• Manchester City v Everton - No Northern trains between Liverpool and Manchester, customers should seek alternative means of transport
• Huddersfield v Newcastle - No Northern trains between Liverpool and Manchester, customers should seek alternative means of transport
• Blackburn v Birmingham - One train per hour between Blackburn and Preston, last train to Preston is at 5.09pm. One train per hour between Blackburn and Colne, last train to Colne is at 7.10pm
• Bolton v Leeds - No Northern trains between Manchester and Leeds, customers should seek alternative means of transport
• Doncaster v Scunthorpe - No Northern trains between Doncaster and Scunthorpe, customers should seek alternative means of transport
• Fleetwood v Burton - Three trains every two hours between Blackpool and Preston, last train to Preston is at 6.10pm
• Carlisle v Colchester - Six trains each way between Newcastle and Carlisle, last train to Newcastle is at 8.09pm
• Lincoln v Morecambe - No Northern trains to and from Lincoln, customers should seek alternative means of transport
• Macclesfield v Crawley - Five trains each way between Macclesfield and Manchester, last train to Manchester is at 5.21pm
• Altrincham v Stockport - Three buses each way between Altrincham and Stockport, last bus to Stockport is at 7.37pm

Other

• FlyDSA Arena (Sheffield) - Sheffield Steelers v Coventry Blaze (ice hockey)
• First Direct Arena (Leeds) – Jane McDonald
• Manchester Arena – Nile Rogers and Chic
• Echo Arena (Liverpool) – Def Leppard
  There are no Northern services after any of these events – customers should seek alternative means of transport.

Unfortunately, on some routes this weekend, we aren't able to run services, while others have a limited service. On those routes where we are able to operate trains, we expect all services to be extremely busy. We also have replacement bus services available on some routes where trains aren’t running.

For full timetables please visit our website or check National Rail Enquiries.