AVANTI West Coast has announced that rail stations in Runcorn will close on Saturday, September 2.

The temporary measure is in response to widespread industrial action over the weekend, with the station reopening in due course.

Avanti has issued fresh advice for passengers regarding weekend travel.

Customers are being told not to attempt travel on Friday, September 1 – when the train driver’s union, ASLEF, go on strike – because Avanti West Coast will be unable to run any services.

With no trains running to and from all destinations across the network during the ASLEF industrial action, customers are advised to claim a refund, seek alternative transport, or rearrange journeys for another date.

Trains will operate over reduced hours on Saturday, with the first train of the day departing Euston shortly before 8am and the last train of the day from Euston departing shortly after 5pm.

The significantly reduced timetable means North Wales, Shrewsbury, Chester, Blackpool, Stoke-on-Trent, Glasgow, and Edinburgh will have no Avanti West Coast services on September 2 - Macclesfield and Runcorn stations will also be closed due to operational reasons.

Andy Mellors, managing director at Avanti, said: “We’re sorry our customers will face disruption to their journeys when ASLEF and RMT members go on strike later this week.

"For many, this is the last weekend of their summer holidays and with no services on September 1 and a significantly reduced timetable on September 2, it will severely impact their plans.  

“The advice to all our customers making journeys on September 2 is to plan ahead, check before you travel and be aware of your last train home.

"We’d like to thank our customers for their continued patience and understanding.

“Any customers with tickets for September 1 or 2 can make their journey on alternative days or claim a full refund.”