Industrial action by the RMT union is set to take place on Thursday 20, Saturday 22 and Saturday 29 July, causing disruption to rail users. 

Rail operator Northern - which provides a large number of services across Stockport - has said that 'all but a handful' of services will run on the strike days. 

Similarly, Avanti West Coast - which provides frequent services at Stockport station - has said: "Customers should expect our timetable and operating hours to be reduced significantly, and note that services that do run are expected to be very busy."

Due to the impact strikes have on fleet displacement, early morning services on Friday 21, Sunday 23 and Sunday 30 July are also expected to be disrupted.

In addition, the ASLEF union has declared 'action short of strike' until Saturday 22 July, which is also likely to affect services.

The RMT has claimed that neither the government or rail operators have asked the union to attend negotiations. 

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: "Quite incredibly, neither party has made any attempt whatsoever to arrange any meetings or put forward a decent offer that can help us reach a negotiated solution.

"The government continues to shackle the companies and will not allow them to put forward a package that can settle this dispute."

Meanwhile, Tricia Williams, chief operating officer at Northern, said: "Yet again, thousands of our customers will be inconvenienced as a result of this action by the RMT union.

"We all want to see an end to this dispute and the uncertainty that on-going strike action causes to people's confidence in the railway."

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