Edinburgh rail passengers face disruption until end of the month as strikes continue
Rail[1] strikes are set to cause disruption for those travelling in and out of Edinburgh until the “end of the month”.
Commuters[2] using key routes, including those through both the capital and Glasgow[3], could see changes made to services. CrossCountry announced that industrial action would see some journeys cancelled with others starting from different locations.
Some may even terminate earlier than planned. Rail Union RMT said members across the East Coast mainline are striking over a pay dispute with Hitachi Rail, reports the Daily Record[4].
The workers will down tools at Edinburgh’s Craigentinny depot, across the East Coast mainline. It will conclude on February 24. More than 400 workers will be taking part in the action on Hitachi Rail which maintains the rolling stock and signalling for LNER.
Passengers travelling along the Aberdeen, Glasgow, or Edinburgh routes to Penzance, Plymouth and more will face widespread disruption. The 1.30pm train from Edinburgh to Plymouth will terminate at Newcastle and not reach the destination.
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On February 11, the Edinburgh to Plymouth and Penzance morning services will start at Newcastle. Monday will be a strike day, resulting in the 12.30pm Plymouth to Glasgow service ending early at Newcastle.
The 1.30pm Plymouth to Edinburgh service terminates at York followed by the 2.30pm train. While the 11.30pm will end at Newcastle. The 9.27pm Plymouth to Aberdeen will terminate at Edinburgh.
On Tuesday, February 13, the three-morning services running from Edinburgh to Penzance will start in Newcastle. The 8.20am Aberdeen to Penzance will begin in Edinburgh with the 7.48am Glasgow to Plymouth service will start at Newcastle. Trains will be running as usual on Valentine’s day.
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However, the strike action will resume on Thursday, February 15. The 1.30pm and 2.30pm services from Plymouth to Edinburgh will terminate at York. The 11.30am service will end in Newcastle. Meanwhile, the 9.30am Plymouth to Aberdeen will conclude at Edinburgh.
The disruption will spill into the next day, impacting the three early morning services from Edinburgh to Plymouth, which will start at Newcastle. The 8.20am Aberdeen to Penzance service will begin in Edinburgh, while the 7.48am Glasgow to Plymouth service will start at Newcastle.
The 1.27pm train from Plymouth will now terminate at Newcastle instead of Edinburgh. Rail users have been urged to check their journeys in advance and allow more time for their travels.
References
- ^ Rail (www.edinburghlive.co.uk)
- ^ Commuters (www.edinburghlive.co.uk)
- ^ Glasgow (www.edinburghlive.co.uk)
- ^ Daily Record (www.dailyrecord.co.uk)
- ^ Edinburgh motorist reported after police catch them driving in wrong direction (www.edinburghlive.co.uk)
- ^ Edinburgh marks Chinese New Year with costumed parade through city centre (www.edinburghlive.co.uk)
- ^ Edinburgh Live’s Whatsapp Community here (chat.whatsapp.com)
- ^ breaking news (www.edinburghlive.co.uk)
- ^ coronavirus (www.edinburghlive.co.uk)
- ^ here (data.reachplc.com)