RAIL passengers have been urged to plan ahead as train drivers go on strike.

A week of industrial action organised by ASLEF, the union which represents train drivers, gets underway today (May 6).

The strikes will see various train operators affected on different days, with no London Northwestern Railway or CrossCountry services on Wednesday (May 8) and no Northern services the day after.

Tricia Williams, chief operating officer for Northern, said: “Unfortunately, the action by ASLEF on Thursday May 9 will see our network grind to a halt.

“On the days when strikes are taking place with other train operators, we will do everything we can to keep our services moving and absorb those extra passengers trying to travel across the region.

“We can only apologise, once again, for the disruption this action by ASLEF will cause to people in the North of England.”

ASLEF’s industrial action continues up until, and including, Saturday (May 11), with disruption expected throughout the week.

No CrossCountry or London Northwestern Railway will operate during a one-day strike on Wednesday.

This strike also impacts Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway and West Midlands Trains.

However, it is on Thursday that the north of the country is likely to be worst affected.

No Northern services will run, nor will any London North Eastern Railway and Transpennine Express services.

As such, CrossCountry has warned that their services will be “extremely busy” on Thursday in the north of England, in particular between Stoke-on-Trent and Manchester Piccadilly.

The operator has advised passengers to “only travel if essential and to leave more time for their journey”.

CrossCountry's service delivery director, Steve Hopkinson, said: "We’re sorry to customers impacted by this latest round of industrial action.

“While we’re working hard to run as many services as possible over these days, there is likely to be significant disruption for people planning to travel.

“I’d ask those planning to travel to check their journey in advance, as well as on the day.”

Jonny Wiseman, London Northwestern Railway customer experience director, added: “It is disappointing that industrial action is continuing to affect passengers’ journeys.

“Services will be subject to disruption after the May Bank Holiday weekend and I urge passengers to check their journeys.”

On non-strike days, ASLEF members will stage an overtime ban.

This may result in short-notice cancellations.