Rail passengers are being advised to plan ahead for their journeys today as more strike action by RMT workers takes place.

Northern has had to reduce its services by 70 per cent.

Running just under a third of services, the rail operator has published revised timetables and warned passengers that trains will be busy.

It’s the eighth consecutive Saturday of industrial action by the union in a dispute over driver-only operated trains.

Instead of 22 services from Carlisle to Newcastle, Northern will only operate seven.

From Newcastle to Carlisle there are seven trains instead of 20.

The Carlisle to Preston service via the Cumbrian Coast - which stops at Dalston, Wigton, Aspatria, Workington and Whitehaven - will also be affected.

Instead of 27 rail services from Carlisle, there will be seven replacement buses, although some train services will operate between Workington and Barrow.

Removing guards from trains, the RMT says this would wreck safety and access to services.

Northern, said the strikes were “incredibly frustrating and disappointing”.

The disruption for passengers will also continue on Sunday with a number of planned cancellations.

This will affect a small minority of Northern routes, primarily in the north west. Customers are urged to check up to the last minute before they travel.

Other strikes are planned on October 20, 27, plus November 3 and 10. For timetables visit www.northernrailway.co.uk.