THOUSANDS of train passengers will be affected by industrial action on Monday.

Rail company Northern will be hit by an RMT union strike over plans to bring in more trains operated by drivers only, which do not need guards to open and close the doors.

Around 40 per cent of services will be running but not all routes will be open and Northern has advised customers to leave extra travel time.

Trains are expected to be busy and there will be a bus replacement service in some places.

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.”

Hourly trains will run between Warrington Central and Manchester Oxford Road.

For information on changes to train times on Monday visit northernrailway.co.uk/industrial-action.