Two train operators that serve areas of Lancashire have issued ‘do not travel’ advice ahead of further rail strikes.

Industrial action by both ASLEF and RMT planned to take place on Wednesday, February 1 and Friday, February 3 affects both TransPennine Express (TPE) and Avanti West Coast.

Northern have also advised that they will not be able to run any services on these dates in what they have called a “fresh disappointment” for their customers.

TPE, which serves Preston on routes towards Scotland from Manchester and Liverpool, said that services will also be severely impacted on the days following each strike, with only a limited service running as well as services starting later and finishing earlier than usual.

Those planning journeys with TPE on February 2 or February 4 should only travel if absolutely essential.

Kathryn O’Brien, customer service and operations director for TPE, said: “The fresh strike action planned for the start of February will once again, cause severe disruption to our services, as well as those across the country.

“Sadly, we won’t be able to run any trains at all on the strike dates, with a very limited timetable in place on the days following each strike and are urging our customers to follow the guidance provided.”

Avanti, which also serves Preston on its West Coast Main Line route, said that services on February 2 are impacted by the industrial action either side and there will be a revised timetable running.

They added that customers with tickets for February 1 and 3 that were purchased before January 17 can claim a full refund from their point of purchase, or the tickets can be used the day before the date displayed on the ticket up to and including February 7.

Barry Milsom, executive director of operations and safety at Avanti West Coast, said: “Yet again our customers will have to a face a disrupted week of rail travel due to further strike action by the RMT and ASLEF unions.

“On 1 and 3 February, we won’t be able to run any trains as a result of this industrial action and our customers are advised not to travel. Services will also be impacted on 2 February with a revised timetable in place, and customers should check before they travel on this date.

“We all need to work with each other to find a solution which will benefit our people and customers. It is essential, that as an industry, we continue to talk with the RMT and ASLEF about industry reform so we can develop together a railway fit for the 21st century.”

Northern, which serves areas such as Blackburn, Burnley, and Accrington, has been running a new timetable since December 2022 which brought extra services across the network and reduced both on the day and planned cancellations.

Tricia Williams, chief operating officer at Northern, said: “Our new timetable, which is fully resourced and agreed with the trade unions, was designed to give our operations an increased resilience – and in the first few weeks of it operating, early signs are suggesting it is doing just that.

“All we can do is apologise to our customers for the disruption this action by ASLEF and the RMT will cause and hope a resolution to this dispute can be found very soon.”