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Chronicle Live
National
Simon Meechan

Northern trains and Metros cancelled despite RMT rail strike being called off

Northern trains connecting Northumberland, Newcastle, Sunderland and County Durham were cancelled on Monday despite the rail strike being called off.

Monday's timetable changes left no way of travelling by rail or Metro between Newcastle and Sunderland, with all Northern trains between the two cities cancelled and no Metros between Pelaw and South Hylton.

Passengers on Northern trains to Newcastle and Sunderland from the likes of Morpeth, Hexham the Metrocentre and Seaham can expect further disruption with scaled-down timetables in place on Tuesday November 8 and Thursday November 10 too.

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The RMT announced on Friday November 4 that it had cancelled its planned strikes on Saturday November 5, Monday November 7 and Wednesday November 9.

Northern's chief operating officer, Tricia Williams said on Friday that the reintroduction of timetables is "complex and can take several days to do" adding that Northern "hopes" to run a "fuller service" on Wednesday November 9.

Tyne Wear Metro operator Nexus says it is unable to run Metros between Pelaw and South Hylton, including all stations in Sunderland, on Monday due to the strikes being called off at "short notice". The Metro shares tracks and signalling with National Rail in the area.

There are also no Metro trains between Pelaw and South Shields due engineering works.

Nexus tweeted: "Due to the short notice of the national rail strikes being called off, we still won't be able to operate between Pelaw - South Hylton. Customers traveling between South Hylton - Pelaw should seek alternative travel arrangements."

A spokesperson for the Rail Delivery Group said advice remains to check before travelling.

“Unfortunately, the late notice of the suspension of strike action means that while train companies are working hard to reinstate services, some services will remain severely disrupted for our passengers into the early part of next week and our advice remains to please check before you travel,” a spokesperson said.

The RMT said it called off the strike on Friday when Network Rail and the Rail Delivery Group "changed their position". Members of the union are working today.

It tweeted: "Strike action was cancelled on Friday and our members are working as normal, however, if you’ve been impacted by the train operators inability to reinstate timetables then we do apologise. We should stress though, that this is not the fault of rail staff."

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