A trio of Teesside railway stations will shut for three days next week as a wave of strikes looms on Britain’s railways.

Only a fifth of services are due to run next week – with passengers advised not to travel on trains unless necessary during strikes. Teesside will be affected.

TransPennine Express has confirmed Middlesbrough, Yarm and Thornaby stations will be closed with no rail services on strike days next Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

The firm is also warning the very few services it is able to run each day will be extremely busy – and that there will also be significant disruption to services on days either side of the strike action.

Read more: Rail strikes - How North East passengers will be impacted

The Northern Echo:

Kathryn O’Brien, from TransPennine Express, said: “Due to the RMT action we will only be able to operate around 10% of our usual daily services. Alongside other operators, we simply won’t be able to provide journeys for the tens of thousands of customers who would normally rely on us and any services we are able to run will be extremely busy.

“Therefore, we’re asking our customers to think carefully about their travel across the whole of next week and to only make essential journeys by rail. People should, where possible, consider alternative modes of transport.”

The RMT union intends to take three days of national action on June 21, June 23 and June 25. About 50,000 workers in all are expected to walk out next week.

The union has claimed Network Rail plans to cut up to 2,500 jobs with pay freezes for train operators and changes to job terms and conditions also raising hackles. Northern Rail has asked its customers not to travel from Tuesday to Saturday next week due to industrial action.

A reduced timetable on the Darlington to Saltburn route has been unveiled on the three days of strike action – with the last train out of Saltburn departing at 5.22pm. Industrial action was also referenced during Wednesday’s Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) transport committee which looked at major infrastructure and efforts to improve in the longer term.

A debate on the strike action was also held in the House of Commons on Wednesday – with the government motion condemning the action and calling for continued discussions winning by 293 votes to 15. Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald is recovering from emergency surgery at the moment.

But he revealed on social media he would have voted against it if he could. The Labour MP added: “Were I able to take part, then I would certainly be voting against this disgraceful government motion

“Solidarity with RMT union members in their struggle.”

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