TransPennine Express is urging people not to travel on many of its core routes today, unless their journeys are essential.

Fewer services than usual are expected to run between Liverpool/Manchester – Newcastle, Liverpool – Hull, Manchester Airport – Saltburn,    Manchester – Scarborough, York – Scarborough, Manchester – Huddersfield – Leeds and Newcastle – Edinburgh.

TPE interim managing director Chris Jackson said: ‘We regret that we need to run a reduced number of services today which is due to operational issues, including a lack of available traincrew.

‘We have been clear so far that some of the challenges we have inherited include a significant backlog in driver training and only 50 per cent of drivers being currently equipped to drive the trains and routes in their roster.

‘From next week, rest day working will be reinstated at TPE which, while not removing all the issues that TPE is facing, will help us to increase driver training which in turn will contribute towards a more stable service for passengers. We are also working hard on operational plans to deliver a long-term improved service for our customers. We apologise again to all our passengers during this period.’