Shoppers hoping for a Boxing Day bargain could face traffic jams as rail strikes see train services brought to a halt.

Bolton Station is among those affected with Transpennine Express and Northern running through the station usually.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has warned that strikes will affect the network today until Tuesday, December 27.

Thousands of people planning to travel by train have been forced to make alternative plans amid continued industrial action.

Hundreds of departures usually run on December 26 after the Christmas Day shutdown.

A statement from Transport for Greater Manchester said: “Industrial action will affect rail services today until Tuesday 27 Dec at 5.59am.

“As a result, an extremely limited train service will operate.

“Some stations may close, or operate alternative hours, while some stations will have no service.”

The AA said it expects 15.2 million cars on UK roads on Boxing Day, with shoppers and football fans among those likely to travel.

A spokesman said: “Traffic is likely to build around shopping centres as lots of people seek a bargain in the sales, meanwhile football fans will travel to see their teams.

“There is scope for localised traffic congestion and more short trips, but traffic should be dispersed throughout the day as people take their time after Christmas Day.”

New data has predicted that shoppers will spend 4% less this Boxing Day and during the post-Christmas sales due to the cost-of-living crisis.

Research by Barclaycard Payments found that the average shopper intends to buy £229 worth of items in the post-Christmas sales period, a reduction of £18 compared with 2021.

Passengers were warned about the impact of the rail strike a week ago – and heeded warnings appeared to lead to relatively smooth travel for most people on Christmas Eve when services finished up early.

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Northern operated a service between Liverpool Lime Street and St Helens Central on Boxing Day last year.

Southern also served several routes on that day, connecting London Bridge with locations such as Brighton, Crystal Palace and East Croydon.

Coach operators National Express and Megabus have experienced strong demand.

The RAC highlighted two stretches of the M25 as likely hotspots for queues.

They are from junction 7 to 16 clockwise, and from junction 4 to 1 anti-clockwise.

Passengers should check before they travel.