Train travellers in Sandbach are facing another day of chaos as a two-day stoppage over pay hits the network.

The station car park and platforms at Sandbach station are set to remain empty again today as rail travellers stay away.

Rail bosses are urging travellers to only travel if absolutely necessary and check ahead in the coming period as strikes disrupt the network.

An empty Sandbach station car park

The two 48-hour walk-outs take place on today (Wednesday) and December 16th and 17th, coupled with the knock-on impact tomorrow (December 15th).

Northern Rail say during this period, all but a handful of services will be cancelled – and the vast majority of the train operator's 500+ stations will be closed.

Tricia Williams, chief operating officer at Northern, said: "This is the last thing we want to do in the run-up to Christmas, but with the RMT pressing ahead with these 48-hour strikes, we have no option but to advise customers not to travel.

Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, with nearly 2,000 services a day across the North of England. 

A spokesperson added: "From Sunday 18th December to Monday 2nd January there will be some disruption to services due to the planned industrial action by RMT union. 

"We're working on what that means for services, please check before you travel as your usual train may not be running. 

"On Christmas Day and Boxing Day (December 25th and 26th) there will be no Northern services running. 

"On strike days, only travel by rail if necessary and if you do travel, expect severe disruption and plan ahead - especially the first and last trains of the day. 

"If you do decide to travel, there will be very limited services running across the whole rail network, so remember to check your entire journey as other train service providers may be affected."