RAIL bosses have confirmed they will still operate services through York if four days of industrial action go ahead next week.

Talks are continuing over the proposed strike by the RMT and the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) between April 6 and 9, which could hit about 80 per cent of the UK’s rail network.

If the walkout cannot be averted, East Coast has announced it will run services on the affected dates between London King’s Cross and York, as well as to Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow Central, with services calling at the usual intermediate station on these routes.

The services will start running at 7am on these days, with a near-normal timetable continuing until about 6.30pm, although there will be a reduced number of departures from King’s Cross after 4.30pm. “We are working closely with Network Rail, along with other train operating companies, and together we expect to be able to published detailed timetable information for the national rail network on Thursday, April 1,” said an East Coast spokesman.

“If East Coast is able to do so, we will publish details of our timetable earlier. At this stage, East Coast will not be issuing refunds or exchanges until we have a clearer view of the timetable. Customers who buy tickets and find their trains are subsequently cancelled due to the industrial action will be entitled to a full refund.”

More details of arrangements for customers who cannot make their planned journeys on the dates affected by any forthcoming industrial action are available at eastcoast.co.uk