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Information on train cancellations to and from Wick this Thursday due to strike action by RMT members


By David G Scott

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Some services on the far north line will be cancelled on Thursday (June 28) due to strike action by RMT members of Network Rail – ScotRail is warning customers to "expect significant disruption".

Network Rail strike action will take place on Wednesday, 27 July, Thursday, 18 August, and Saturday, 20 August. This means a very limited number of services will operate on just five ScotRail routes in the central belt, with no service on all other routes.

Wick railway station. Services to and from Wick will be affected on Thursday. Picture: DGS
Wick railway station. Services to and from Wick will be affected on Thursday. Picture: DGS

Cancellations on Thursday (June 28) include the 6.18am Wick to Inverness train as well as the 7am Inverness to Wick train.

The RMT union announced three days of strike action across the UK railway network resulting from a pay dispute with Network Rail. This dispute does not involve ScotRail staff, however, it will have a major knock-on effect on the train operator’s ability to provide services as the RMT planned action will involve Network Rail staff in Scotland.

David Simpson, ScotRail 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 on strike days, as well as the following day.

“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.”

Wick railway station. Cancellations on Thursday include the 6.18am Wick to Inverness train as well as the 7am Inverness to Wick train. Picture: DGS
Wick railway station. Cancellations on Thursday include the 6.18am Wick to Inverness train as well as the 7am Inverness to Wick train. Picture: DGS

Many of the Network Rail staff that are due to take part in the planned industrial action occupy safety-critical roles and, as such, it will not be possible for ScotRail to run the vast majority of services.

For more information on this, please visit the National Rail website at National Rail Enquiries - Industrial Action.

Significant disruption will also occur on routes south of Inverness and in the Central Belt this week.

On the days following strike action, there will be disruption caused by the reopening of signal boxes at different times across the country. Signal boxes are key pieces of infrastructure located across the rail network that control train movements. Their use is critical to ensure that the railway can operate safely.

Customers are advised to check the ScotRail app or visit scotrail.co.uk for the latest information before travelling.

Due to the greater reliance on manual signalling outside the central belt, Network Rail is unable to facilitate passenger services on any other routes on the strike days.


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