Commuters face disruption as Northern Rail strike action on 8 November goes ahead

Commuters and travellers should allow more time for their journeys next week with rail staff set to take strike action.

No Northern Rail services will run before 7am and after 7pm on Wednesday 8 November and there will be a reduced service between these times.

Alternative rail routes and roads and the Metrolink are expected to be busier as passengers change their journeys, particularly in the morning and evening peaks.

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said: "The abject failure of Arriva Rail North bosses to take today's talks seriously means that the action next week goes ahead and the disruption that will be unleashed will be entirely down to the companies failure to engage with the union.

"RMT negotiators entered talks in good faith but it was soon clear Norther‎n Rail were just going through the motions.

"This dispute is about public safety and the fact that Northern can't or won't grasp that basic fact leaves us with no option but to strike next week. Passengers will understand that the key issue is about putting public safety before private profit and we thank them for their contiuning support."