RAIL passengers are being warned not to travel by train over a five-day period due to upcoming strike action.

Train operator Northern has warned its customers across the north of England ‘do not travel’ during the RMT strikes next week.

The two 48-hour walk-outs, which will take place on December 13 and 14, and December 16 and 17, coupled with the knock-on impact on December 15 in-between, means an effective five-day travel ban for rail users.

During this period, all but a handful of services will be cancelled – and the vast majority of the train operator’s 500-plus stations will be closed.

Tricia Williams, chief operating officer at Northern, said: “This is the last thing we want to do in the run-up to Christmas.

“However, with the RMT pressing ahead with these 48-hour strikes, we have no option but to advise customers not to travel.

“We can only apologise once again for the disruption their action will cause.”

Customers should check before they travel if planning to use one of the limited skeleton services in operation.

Rail users are also being warned that this Sunday, December 11, Northern’s new timetable comes into effect.

All customers, especially those who have made regular journeys on the same train times, are advised to check online journey planners before they travel.

This is to ensure their service operates at the same time and calls at the same stations.