RAIL operators have advised customers to ‘make alternative arrangements’ for travel as latest industrial action looms.

Aslef, the train driver’s union, has announced new strike dates, which will start on Friday and disrupt services until Tuesday, April 9.

The upcoming industrial action is part of a dispute over pay and working conditions and has been ongoing since July 2022.

Northern, the second largest train operator in the UK, is one of the train lines taking part in the strike, and it has confirmed that no Northern trains will be operating on Saturday, April 6.

“We are disappointed that Aslef has chosen to call yet more strike action and we would encourage them to work with the rail industry so we can put an end to this dispute,” said Tricia Williams, chief operating officer at Northern.

“We can only apologise to customers in the meantime for the significant disruption and inconvenience this action by Aslef will cause.”

Other train operators taking part in the strike include TransPennine Express, Avanti West Coast and East Midland Railway – which will likely disrupt services for those travelling from Warrington on Friday and Saturday.

Members of the train driver’s union are also expected to refuse to work on their rest days between Thursday, April 4 to Tuesday, April 9 as part of the overtime ban.

This means that more services may be cancelled or run on an amended timetables for five days, causing travel disruption across the country.

Customers are being advised to make alternative travel arrangements and check each leg of their journey.