Rail passengers travelling on the East Coast Main Line have been urged to plan ahead and only travel if it’s absolutely necessary this Thursday and Saturday.

With rail unions calling for national industrial action, train services will be limited and only run between 7.30am and 6.30pm.

Thousands of specially trained and fully qualified back-up staff will step in during the walkout - which has been called by the RMT, TSSA and Unite unions - to keep vital services running for those who need them.

But with less than half of usual services planned to run between London and Edinburgh via Darlington, York and Newcastle, passengers are asked to only travel by train if they must. 

Read more: New details reveal how Darlington station will be transformed in redevelopment

Trains are set to start later and finish much earlier than usual, between 7.30am and 6.30pm, with the last long-distance services leaving in the early afternoon. Those who really need to travel should allow extra time and check their last train times.  

Sarah Reid, route director for Network Rail’s East Coast Route said: “Passengers travelling on the East Coast Main Line will again face a limited train service due to the ongoing industrial action on Thursday and Saturday. 

“I’d urge those who absolutely need to travel by train to plan ahead, check their journey and expect severe disruption. I can only apologise for the impact that this will have on people’s plans.”  

Passengers should also expect disruption on the morning of Friday 19 August and Sunday 21 August with a later start to services as railway workers return to their duties.   

Further information for passengers is available on the National Rail website.  

Read next: 

Harrowing footage shows moment dad tragically killed in 120mph smash on the A19

Mike Ashley to open HUGE department store inside former Metrocentre Debenhams

RECENTLY RATED: 25 North East businesses slapped with one or zero hygiene rating

If you want to read more stories, why not subscribe to your Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here