AVANTI West Coast has told customers not to travel on Saturday due to strike action taken by the train driver’s union, ASLEF.

No Avanti West Coast services will run through Carlisle on Saturday with customers told to not to travel and either claim a refund or rearrange their travel plans.

Customers with tickets for August 13 are able to claim a full refund from their point of purchase, the company said.

Alternatively, customers with tickets dated August 13 can use those tickets to travel either the day before, or up to and including August 16.

ASLEF have coordinated their strike plans across the country with travel on the west coast mainline severely limited through London, the midlands and north Wales.

“Yet again our customers will bear the brunt of industrial action and will face a weekend of misery as a result", managing director of Avanti West Coast, Phil Whittingham, said.

News and Star: RMT union leader Mick Lynch has planned further strike action. Credit: Agency. RMT union leader Mick Lynch has planned further strike action. Credit: Agency.

"With the summer holidays in full swing and the return of the Premier League, this action will ruin many people’s plans.

"We’re obviously disappointed by ASLEF’s decision to go on strike, which we believe is unnecessary and premature."

Further disruption is expected next week for Avanti West Coast services as the RMT and TSSA have planned action for the August 18 and 20 as part of their wage and conditions dispute.