Over 40,000 rail workers are to walk out for 24-hours.
Passengers are once again being told to plan ahead and only travel "if necessary" as rail workers strike nationwide today, The Manc reports.
Network Rail is warning all those intending on travelling by train that services will be "severely disrupted" on Wednesday as a result of another national strike called by the leadership of the RMT Union, and while it has confirmed that thousands of specially-trained back-up staff will step in during the one-day walkout, only a fifth of services will be running on around half of the network.
Passengers are asked to only travel by train "if they must", allow extra time for journeys, and check when their last train will depart, Network Rail advises.
After talks failed to resolve a dispute over pay, jobs, and conditions, members of the RMT Union and Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA) at Network Rail and 14 other regional rail operators are to take industrial action - with Northern, TransPennine Express, and Avanti West Coast all confirmed to take part.
Network Rail said all operators may be affected, whether they are part of the dispute or not.
People are also being told that they should expect disruption on the morning of Thursday 28 July too, with a later start to services as employees return to duties.
"The train operating companies remain stubborn and are refusing to make any new offer which deals with job security and pay," said Mick Lynch - General Secretary at RMT Union.
"Strike action is the only course open to us to make both the rail industry and government understand that this dispute will continue for as long as it takes, until we get a negotiated settlement.
"The public who will be inconvenienced by our strike action need to understand that it is the government's shackling of Network Rail and the TOCs that means the rail network will be shut down for 24 hours."
Andrew Haines - Chief Executive at Network Rail - said: "Despite our best efforts to find a breakthrough, I’m afraid there will be more disruption for passengers as the RMT seems hell-bent on continuing their political campaigning, rather than compromising and agreeing a deal for their members."
"It is frustrating to yet again ask our passengers to change their plans and only make essential journeys," he added.
Over 40,000 rail workers are to walk out for 24-hours nationwide on Wednesday / Credit: Network Rail
A spokesperson for the Department for Transport (DfT) also said in response: "The rail industry has to modernise and be brought into the 21st century for the benefit of passengers and staff [and] we're extremely disappointed to see that instead of staying at the table, RMT executives have chosen to walk away once more.
"We continue to encourage RMT to do the right thing by their members and passengers alike and call off the strikes."
The BBC's popular comedy festival heading up north next month, and there's some big local names on the lineup.
Previously held in other major cities like Belfast, Glasgow, Cardiff, and Newcastle but this year pitching up in Liverpool, the BBC Comedy Festival is an opportunity for those working in the TV industry to get together, discuss, and celebrate comedy.
Respected Yorkshire comedy legend, Sir Michael Palin, alongside other northern names like John Bishop, Lee Mack, Diane Morgan, and Sue Johnston, are among a stellar lineup of comedy talent taking part in next month's festival, as well as other big names like Ruth Jones, James Corden, Gbemisola Ikumelo, and the creators and producers of hit BBC show Amandaland.
Talent on the lineup will take part in a selection of talks, panels, screenings, and live comedy shows across the two days - with many events also being open to the public to attend.
Last year's BBC Comedy Festival proved to be a big success, with 16 panels and masterclasses, and more than 70 comedy names taking to the stage.
Diane Morgan and Lee Mack are two major names appearing at BBC Comedy Festival 2026 / Credit: Wikimedia Commons (BBC / Al Campbell | Amanda Benson)
The BBC says the 2026 festival in Liverpool - which is set to take place on 13 and 14 May - 'marks the start' of expanded script‑development opportunities across the North West, with more details to come.
Alongside some of the more household names on the lineup, other comedians set to appear this year include Ash Atalla, Jessica Knappett, Philippa Dunne, Michael Odewale, Emma Garrett, David Mumemi, and Simon Mayhew Archer, among many others.
Speaking ahead of the festival next month, Jon Petrie, who is the Director of Comedy at the BBC, said: "Liverpool has funny bones and a rich culture of producing top tier comedy creatives, so we’re delighted to be bringing the BBC Comedy Festival 2026 to the city.
"Comedy occupies a unique place in the television industry and British culture. It’s important that we provide a forum that brings together some of the best comedy minds to celebrate and discuss the success of the sector now and in the future."
Featured Image - BBC / Al Campbell
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Iconic films are coming back to UK cinemas to celebrate their anniversaries
Emily Sergeant
Loads of famous films are heading back to cinemas across the UK this spring to celebrate their milestone anniversaries.
From coming of age classics, to legendary romcoms, action films, psychological thrillers, and more, Vue has announced that it’s bringing a roster of much-loved film favourites back to the big screen over the next couple of months.
Kicking things off this weekend (12 April) is the 40th anniversary screening of Stand by Me, a beloved coming of age gem which follows four boys who decide to go see the body of a boy that has died in their rural hometown, while also returning to the big screen is 80s classic, Top Gun, as well as a re-release of the sequel, Top Gun: Maverick, for a limited run.
A trio of classic female-led comedies will also be returning as part of the season.
Loads of famous films are coming back to UK cinemas to celebrate their anniversaries / Credit: Universal Pictures | Columbia Pictures
Beginning with everyone’s favourite diarist in Bridget Jones’s Diary – starring Renée Zellweger in the titular role – which returns for its 25th anniversary from 17 April.
Also celebrating 25 years since its initial release is the ultimate sorority-queen-turned-lawyer caper Legally Blonde starring Reese Witherspoon, returning 22 May, and an epic ensemble cast – including Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, and Rose Byrne – in Bridesmaids, which is returning 15 years after its initial release.
The iconic thriller The Silence of the Lambs returns from 24 April, and other highlights include the anniversary releases of the riotous comedy The Birdcage, the cult fantasy adventure Highlander, and the feel-good family favourite Space Jam.
Tickets for all the films are now available to book at Vue Cinemas now.
“At Vue, we know there’s nothing quite like experiencing a great film on the big screen,” commented Mike Anton, who is the General Manager of Vue Manchester Printworks, ahead of the films’ re-releases.
“This anniversary season gives audiences the chance to revisit some of their all-time favourites the way they were meant to be seen, on the big screen, while also introducing these iconic titles to a new generation of film fans.”
Tickets start from just £4.99 when booked online, with some of the later films on the roster only becoming able to book closer to the time, so keep your eyes peeled.
For more information and to book tickets, visit myvue.com.
The Hoot -
27th July 2022 
