ScotRail has issued a reminder to customers to "only travel if necessary" during next week's strike action.

The company is also warning passengers to expect several days of significant disruption due to strike action by RMT members of Network Rail.

Strikes will take place on June 21, 23 and 25, meaning a very limited number of services will operate on just five ScotRail routes in the Central Belt, with no service on all other routes.

The train operator will only run services on five routes across Scotland between 7.30am and 6.30pm.

These routes are:

  • Edinburgh – Glasgow via Falkirk High: two trains per hour
  • Glasgow - Hamilton/Larkhall: two trains per hour
  • Glasgow - Lanark: two trains per hour
  • Edinburgh - Glasgow via Shotts: one train per hour
  • Edinburgh – Bathgate: two trains per hour

Network Rail said it will be unable to open any other signal boxes to operate passenger services on any other routes on the strike days.

READ MORE: 'A logistical nightmare': Commuters in Glasgow react to further train disruption

Final services on the five operational routes will depart well before 6.30pm, so customers are advised to plan ahead to ensure they know when their last train will run.

On the days following strike action - June 22, 24, and 26 - there will be disruption across Scotland’s Railway caused by the reopening of signal boxes at different times across the day.

Signal boxes are key pieces of infrastructure located across the rail network that control train movements, and their use is critical to ensure that the railway can operate safely.

The disruption caused by strike action will impact customers travelling to events in Glasgow, such as Colourbox Festival at Bellahouston Park on Saturday, June 25, and Liam Gallacher at Hampden Park on Sunday, June 26.

ScotRail said it will be issuing specific travel advice for each event in the coming days, and customers are advised to check the ScotRail app or visit scotrail.co.uk for the latest information before travelling.

This dispute does not involve ScotRail staff, however, it does have a major knock-on effect on the train operator’s ability to provide services as the planned action involves Network Rail staff in Scotland who are members of RMT.

READ MORE: Scottish hospitality sector hit by cancellations as RMT union confirms rail strikes

Many of the Network Rail staff that are due to take part in the planned industrial action occupy safety-critical roles and, as such, it will not be possible for ScotRail to run the vast majority of services.

David Simpson, ScotRail service delivery director, said: “It is very unfortunate to see such widespread disruption across the whole of the Great Britain rail network and we know this will be frustrating for ScotRail customers.

“Regrettably, this strike action by RMT members of Network Rail means that we will not be able to operate the vast majority of our services during the period of strike action.

“We’re reminding customers to expect significant disruption to services this week, including on the days between, and following, strike action which will impact customers travelling to events across the country.

“On the five routes where we are able to operate a very limited service on strike days, we’re urging customers to only travel if they really need to, and to seek alternative means of transport where possible.”