Rail operator says Wigan fans must plan ahead for day without trains

Wigan Warriors meet Warrington Wolves in the showpiece battle for silverware but the match falls on a day the RMT union is taking industrial action in a long-running safety row.

Related: Wigan fans face marathon bus journeys to Grand Final on rail strike dayNorthern has confirmed no trains will run at all between the borough and the city centre and admitted services via Warrington will be very limited too.

In particular there are no rail options for fans looking to get back to Wigan after the match.

The company criticised the union for what will be its 31st strike day and admitted fans would have to think carefully about getting to and from Old Trafford.

Liam Sumpter, regional director for Northern, said: “It is disappointing that RMT has chosen to strike on a day which has such important for the rugby league fans across the north of England.

“We are doing everything we can to run as many trains as possible, but options to and from Warrington and Wigan are extremely limited. We are, therefore, asking our customers to plan carefully and, where possible, use alternative transport.”

East Midlands Trains and Arriva Trains Wales will run a regular service between Manchester and Warrington.

Mr Sumpter added: “We are working closely with colleagues across the transport industry – and with Super League – to give fans as many options as possible to get to and from the season finale.

“We will have people out an about at stations and on trains to give advice and will even have Northern staff at Old Trafford to help fans get where they need to be.”

Ironically Northern is one of the major sponsors of the Super League.

For full strike day timetables visit www.northernrailway.co.uk/strike