Nationwide Network Rail strikes to halt 90% of ScotRail train services

Nationwide strikes by signal workers will mean 89% of ScotRail trains will not run over three days of industrial action, the national rail operator has said.

The network-wide strike action by the RMT union on June 21, 23 and 25 will “severely limit” the number of services operating for passengers and freight – on top of ScotRail’s emergency timetable that has already seen a third of trains axed.

Just 180 journeys will being running – ScotRail usually operates around 2,150 daily services.

Disruption will also be felt on the network in the days following the action as signal boxes are reopened, particularly outside the central belt.

RMT members from Network Rail Scotland and cross-border train operators LNER, CrossCounty, Avanti West Coast and TransPennine Express will be taking part in the industrial action.

ScotRail said services will only operate on five routes and the nationalised operator warned travellers should only use the trains if they “really need to”.

The railway will only be operational between 7.30am and 6.30pm on the three days this month with only the below services running:

Edinburgh – Glasgow via Falkirk High: two trains per hour
Edinburgh – Bathgate: two trains per hour
Glasgow – Hamilton/Larkhall: two trains per hour
Glasgow – Lanark: two trains per hour
Edinburgh – Glasgow via Shotts: one train per hour

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) has said it will be the biggest strike on the railways since 1989, with more than 50,000 railway workers set for industrial action across the UK on June 21.

General secretary Mick Lynch said workers had been treated “appallingly”.

Strikes: A handful of services will run due to the industrial action STV News

David Simpson, ScotRail’s service delivery director, said: “It is very unfortunate to see such widespread disruption across the whole of the Great Britain rail network and we know this will be frustrating for ScotRail customers.

“Regrettably, this strike action by RMT members of Network Rail means that we will not be able to operate the vast majority of our services during the period of strike action.

“Customers should expect significant disruption to services next week, including on the days between strike action.

“On the five routes where we are able to operate a very limited service on strike days, we’re advising customers to seek alternative means of transport and to only travel if they really need to.”

It comes as continued disruption to the regular running of Scotland’s rail services is to continue for another month as train drivers consider a 5% rise as part of an improved pay package.

The drivers’ union Aslef will put the new deal to members this week but a result will not be announced until July 11.

RMT members in Scotland are also locked in a dispute with ScotRail, having rejected a similar pay deal to that offered to Aslef last week.