Bargain hunters, holiday goers and students home for the holidays were all caught up in New Year rail strikes this week when services were slashed across the region.
On New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, a 48-hour strike staged by ASLEF hit First North Western Services' trains between Barrow and Lancaster and on the Lakes Line between Windermere and Oxenholme.
The strike, prompted by a dispute over conditions attached to a pay offer, also affected First North Western train services to Manchester Airport and Carlisle.
Mike Gates, of Kendal-based specialised rail travel agency Gates Travel Agency, said: "Local people were clearly inconvenienced. It came at a bad time and many people wanting to go shopping in Manchester were disappointed. The cancelled airport trains were also an inconvenience but people have made alternative arrangements."
Meanwhile, New Year's Eve strike action by the Rail Maritime and Transport Union hit a number of Arriva Trains Northern services on routes between Settle, Appleby and Carlisle.
The New Year's Eve strike was the fourth in a series of strike days held on the route over the Christmas period.
Services were limited to around two trains per day in either direction and passengers were forced to take buses laid on by Arriva.
The next Arriva 24-hour train strike is expected on February 1.
January 3, 2003 09:00
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