A total shutdown of CrossCountry train services will take place on Friday, April 5 due to planned industrial action by the ASLEF union.

The action, effective from Thursday, April 4 until Tuesday, April 9, is expected to cause significant travel disruption for CrossCountry customers.

Richard Morris, CrossCountry's Service Delivery Director, urged customers to take caution, stating: "We’re sorry to customers impacted by this latest round of industrial action.

"While we’re working hard to run as many services as possible over these days, there is likely to be significant disruption for people planning to travel – especially on Saturday 6 April.

"I’d ask those planning to travel to check their journey in advance, as well as on the day."

As services will be exceedingly busy on Saturday, April 6, due to planned Chiltern Railways strikes with customers advised to avoid travelling if possible.

Additional strike actions for CrossCountry members on April 13 also loom, although the impact remains unconfirmed.