Advice to passengers planning to travel this bank holiday weekend

Passengers who travel on Northern trains are being asked to think carefully about their travel plans this bank holiday weekend.

Train services across the Northern network are expected to be busy throughout the weekend due to the forecast of good weather and the relaxation of many COVID restrictions.

Significant engineering work is set to take place in and around Leeds, Manchester, Carlisle and Warrington meaning there will be several changes to timetables and fewer trains than normal.

Local services ran by Northern include Manchester to Hadfield and Glossop, Manchester to Marple and Sheffield and Manchester to Buxton, so customers are advised to take extra care when travelling on these services this weekend.

A spokesperson for Northern has said, “We need our customers to plan carefully for any rail travel this weekend and be prepared for services to be much busier than they have been recently.

“We’ll be adding extra carriages where possible but, with amended timetables in place in many areas, we will have fewer trains operating than on a normal weekend.”

Popular tourist destinations and beauty spots such as the Lake District, Yorkshire Moors and Peak District are expected to be particularly busy, and customers are advised to be flexible if they plan to head to these areas.

The spokesperson added: “We want our customers to be able to get out and about and explore all the North has to offer, but this bank holiday weekend we are asking them to be flexible with their journey and allow extra time for travel in case they cannot board their first choice service.

“And, of course, anyone travelling by train still needs to be conscious of coronavirus and continue following advice on how to keep themselves, and others, as safe as possible.

“Through enhanced cleaning and an increase in services, we are doing all we can to allow our customers to travel with confidence but, by following a few simple steps, passengers can also help themselves.”

Northern is also reminding passengers to:

• Always wear a face covering when on a train or at a station (unless specific exemptions apply)
• Regularly wash hands before and after travel and use hand sanitiser when on the network
• Take all litter and rubbish of trains and use the bins provided
• Be considerate of others
• Respect staff who are working to keep people on the move
• Travel outside of peak hours where possible
• Plan journeys carefully and be aware of the new train times

Details of Northern’s timetables and the planned engineering work can be found online at northernrailway.co.uk. or via National Rail Enquiries.