Avanti West Coast has said that strike action will “significantly disrupt services” on its west coast route through Penrith and Carlisle.

On Sunday, December 3 there will be no Avanti West Coast services because of industrial action being undertaken by members of ASLEF, the train drivers’ union and customers are being urged not to travel.

Avanti West Coast services will also be impacted on Saturday, December 2 and Monday, December 4 as a result of the strike. Customers due to travel on these dates should check before leaving for the station.

With strike action also affecting other operators between 2 and 8 December, customers who booked tickets before the industrial action was announced on Thursday, November 16 can claim a full, fee-free refund from their point of purchase.

Alternatively, pre-booked tickets for strike days dated between Saturday, 2 December 2 and Friday, December 8 can be used at any time from Friday, December 1 up until Tuesday, December 12.

ASLEF has also announced that their members will withdraw from working any overtime between 9 December 1 and 9.

Though Avanti West Coast plans to run its normal timetable during this period (changes linked to the strike action notwithstanding), it’s recommended that customers check before they travel, as the overtime ban’s impact will vary from route to route, and journeys across multiple train operators may be affected.

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Andy Mellors, Managing Director at Avanti West Coast, said: “At a time when we should be welcoming people back to the railway, its disappointing once again to be asking our customers not to travel.

“We totally understand their frustration and can only apologise for the disruption to their plans. We’d encourage those able to do so, to take advantage of the ticket easement, and change their day of travel. Alternatively, customers are entitled to a full fee-free refund.”

The ASLEF general secretary, Mick Whelan, has said he is “determined” to get a significant increase for drivers who had not had a pay rise since 2019.