RAIL passengers are being hit by strikes today which have severely disrupted services to and from Warrington, with very few trains after 5pm.

Northern rail has been running just 40 per cent of its normal timetable.

But the company says its plan to cope with the industrial action is going well and staff are now focused on getting commuters home safely.

Paul Barnfield, regional director at Northern, said: “By 12.30pm, 448 trains had arrived at their destinations, helping customers get to work in major towns and cities across the north.

"Our plan is working well and we have even been able to run a few more morning rush hour trains than originally planned. 

“We are now concentrating efforts on getting people home this evening.

"We urge everyone wanting to travel home today to think now about their return journey.  Services on many routes will start to wind down from mid-afternoon onwards, with very few trains running after 5pm this evening.

“On behalf of Northern I would like to thank our customers for working with us today and altering their travel plans. I would also like to thank all of our people who have worked so hard to run our trains today."

The following train services are running:

Warrington Central to Manchester Oxford Road – trains at 8.02am, 9.02am, 10.02am, 11.02am, 12.02pm, 1.02pm, 2.02pm, 3.02pm, 4.02pm, 4.24pm, 5.24pm, 6.24pm.

Manchester Oxford Road to Warrington Central – trains at 7.15am, 8.15am, 9.15am, 10.15am, 11.15am, 12.15pm, 1.15pm, 2.15pm, 3.15pm, 3.44pm, 4.44pm, 5.44pm.

For more information visit northernrailway.co.uk/industrialaction.