STRIKES on Northern rail services will continue into next month, as the long-running dispute over train guards rumbles on.

The RMT union has announced three further days of industrial action, meaning there will be no Saturday services until after February 16.

Union leaders are fighting against Northern plans for driver-only operation on trains, which would put the role of train guards at risk.

Northern passengers were already facing strikes each day in January, with February 2, 9, and 16 now also failing to offer any services.

John Oates, chairman of the Mid Cheshire Rail Users Association said: “The Mid Cheshire Line which connects Chester with Manchester via Northwich, Knutsford, Altrincham and Stockport has had no train services on Saturdays now since mid-August 2018.

“Whilst this continues, those who have no alternative but to use the service have to cope with a replacement service of 4 buses in each direction from Chester to Stockport replacing the previously timetabled 18 hourly train services, as most of the route of the line has no alternative public transport options.

“This is now severely impacting on rail users’ perception of our local railways and is having a direct impact on local economies along the line and in the metropolitan conurbations the Mid Cheshire Line serves.

“Who wants to spend over an hour and half on a bus travelling from Knutsford to Chester or Northwich to Stockport?"

Saturday, January 19, saw the 45th day of action due to the deadlock, with Northern declaring poor performance figures for the period ending January 5.

During this four-week period, 82.3 per cent of the total number of Northern train services arrived at their final destination within five minutes of their planned arrival time, while 52.4 per cent arrived on time.

There were 2,825 services with less than planned capacity, and 1,956 services subject to cancellation.

With Northern’s timetables on Saturdays reduced by two-thirds, it offers few services after 5pm and bus replacement services on some lines.

Mr Oates added: “Once again MCRUA urges the Department for Transport, RMT and Northern to resolve their differences and get back to running a railway service that our passengers deserve.

“Whilst this dispute grinds on with no sign of resolution, our advice is not to use the Mid Cheshire Line on Saturdays but to switch travel to Sundays or off-peak during the week.”