CLACKS commuters and families face further railway disruption with industrial action set to go ahead this weekend.

Rail Union RMT has announced that railway workers in Network Rail across the country will walk out on Saturday, October 8, in an ongoing dispute over jobs, pay and conditions.

While the 24-hour industrial action does not involve ScotRail staff, customers are being warned to expect significant disruption.

The strike will have a major impact on the train operator’s ability to provide services.

ScotRail will operate a similar service level as the previous strike action on August 18 and 20, with the addition of one train per hour between Edinburgh Waverley and Larbert, and Fife services extending from Inverkeithing to Dunfermline and Cowdenbeath.

It is understood this means that there will be no services to and from Alloa at all.

David Simpson, ScotRail service delivery director, said: "It’s really disappointing to see more widespread disruption across the whole Great Britain rail network at a time when we need to be encouraging more people back to the railway.

“For ScotRail, it’s going to mean that we won’t be able to operate the vast majority of our services, which we know will be really frustrating for our customers. 

“ScotRail customers should expect significant disruption to services on Saturday, October 1 and Saturday, October 8, as well as on the following days.

“We’re advising customers to seek alternative means of transport and to only travel if they really need to on the day of strike action.”

Services could be impacted the following day as well as signal boxes re-open, people are advised to check service status before travelling.

Mick Lynch, RMT general secretary, explained the union recently met with new transport secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan.

He said: “However, as no new offer has been tabled, our members have no choice but to continue this strike action.

"We will continue to negotiate in good faith, but the employers and government need to understand our industrial campaign will continue for as long as it takes.”