Northern Rail customers warned of weekend disruption

Northern Rail is warning customers to expect disruption to its weekend service after a coronavirus outbreak among its workforce.

The operator says that ‘a number of frontline staff’ tested positive for the virus over the past few days, with others isolating as a result.

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As a result, services in many areas are likely to be affected between Friday (2 July) and Sunday (4 July) – with Cumbria set to face the most significant disruption.

At a glance: 5 key points

Northern Rail services are likely to be affected between Friday 2 July and Sunday 4 July because of a coronavirus outbreak among its workforce.

Cumbria is set to face the most significant disruption, with planned cancellations on services on the Cumbrian Coast line and between Barrow and Manchester Airport, while many Lancaster – Morecambe services will be removed.

The operator says that a number of front-line staff have tested positive for Covid-19 over the past few days

Northern is also advising customers to expect busier services on Saturday night, particularly in larger towns and cities, following the Euro 2020 quarter final between England and Ukraine.

The rail operator is asking those planning to travel on Saturday night to think carefully about their journeys and not to wait until the last train home.

What’s been said?

Chris Jackson, Regional Director at Northern, said: “A high proportion of staff based at Barrow and Workington have been instructed to self-isolate. This has exacerbated issues we were already experiencing in the region following an increase in the number of employees who have either tested positive for COVID-19 or have had to enter a period of self-isolation.

“Many of these colleagues are drivers and conductors and, as such, we are left with no option but to cancel some services this week in Cumbria and north Lancashire.

“We are doing all we can to provide the best possible service for customers in extremely difficult circumstances and, where we are not able to run rail services, we will have replacement buses on standby to get our customers where they need to be.”

Speaking about avoiding travel during England’s Euro 2020 quarter final, Jackson said: “With kick off at 8pm, that only leaves a handful of trains on our key routes after the match to get people home and we’re asking our customers to plan ahead and to use all available services. We’ll have buses on standby in many places to assist, but customers can help by staggering their journeys and not all waiting for the last train home.”