SKIPTON and district rail commuters are being warned of a hugely reduced service next week as Northern Rail prepares for strike action.

The train operator expects to run around 40 per cent of its normal timetable on Monday, March 13, and has published a revised timetable to allow for the industrial action.

The 24-hour strike, called by the RMT union, is ahead of moves to introduce driver-only-operated trains.

Northern expects all services on Monday to be extremely busy and customers are advised to give themselves extra time to travel and consider whether their journey is necessary.

Some trains will be running between Leeds and Skipton and Bradford and Skipton, but there will be replacement bus services for Skipton to Lancaster services.

Richard Allan, Deputy Managing Director at Northern, said: “We have focused our planning efforts on maintaining a train service on our busier routes between 7am and 7pm, and are looking to provide replacement bus services on some routes where trains won’t run.

“We are acutely aware of the important role that Northern plays in keeping the north of England moving, would ask for your patience on Monday, and ask all our customers to individually take time to consider whether your journey is necessary and if it is, please plan carefully.”

Northern has more than 100 trained managers and other colleagues who will be carrying out some conductor duties to operate the revised timetable.

Full details of the revised timetables and supporting information for customers can be found on the Northern website.

Information will also be displayed on posters at all stations and on customer information screens where available.

The planned industrial action comes at a time when Northern is embarking on a journey to modernise its network by 2020.

This modernisation programme will see the introduction of 281 new carriages, 243 upgraded trains, 2,000 extra services each week and better stations across the network.

Richard Allan added: “Modernising the train journey of our customers means we have to make changes. We want to involve everyone as we develop our plans, from our customers and communities, to employees and their trade unions.

“Our proposals are still in the early stages, so it is disappointing that RMT is taking strike action on Monday, because there is lots of time to talk and agree how we modernise the way we provide customer service. As part of our proposals we are prepared to offer guarantees on jobs and pay to our people.”

Below is a timetable of services in and out of Skipton and Settle expected to run on Monday - but please check Northern Rail's website for the most up to date information and times for other stations.

Forster Square to Skipton - eight services at 9.11am, 10.11am, 11.11am, 12.11pm, 2.11pm, 3.11pm, 4.12pm and 5.11pm.

Skipton to Forster Square - eight services at 7.00am, 8.00am, 10.00am, 11.01am, 12.00pm, 1.00pm, 2.58pm and 3.58pm.

Skipton to Leeds:

From Skipton:  07.06 07.45 08.13 08.37 09.17 09.47 10.17 10.47 11.17 11.47 12.17 12.47 13.17 13.47 14.17 14.47 15.17 15.47 16.17 16.47 17.15 17.47 18.17 18.47

From Leeds: Leeds 06.16 06.57 07.25 07.51 08.25 08.56 09.26 09.56 10.26 10.56 11.26 11.56 12.26 12.56 13.26 13.56 14.26 14.56 15.26 15.56 16.26 16.56 17.26 17.56

Skipton to Settle bus replacement service, calling at Gargrave, Long Preston, Hellifield: Skipton 0715 0820 0920 1020 1120 1220 1320 1420 1520 1620 1720 1820 1855

Settle to Skipton bus replacement service, calling at Gargrave, Long Preston, Hellifield: Settle 0700 0800 0900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1740

Settle to Lancaster bus replacement service, calling at stations en-route: Settle 0557 0843 1046 1351 1713

Lancaster to Settle bus replacement service, calling at stations en-route 0707 1059 1359 1615