TRAVELLERS have been warned to expect disruption across Scotland’s railway network as services return to normal following strike action. 

On Saturday, workers from the Raill, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union at Network Rail staged the second of two planned strikes, significantly reducing the number of services operating across the country. 

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said his union’s members are calling on Network Rail to protect their pensions, secure a decent pay rise, job security and good working conditions. 

ScotRail warned passengers not to travel unless absolutely necessary as hundreds of services had to be cancelled.

READ MORE: RMT's Mick Lynch says 'will of Scotland must be expressed' on independence

Disruption is set to continue into Sunday, as signal box activation has been affected by industrial action.  

ScotRail workers were not involved in the rail walkout, although signal operators were amongst those taking action. 

It is the latest wave of strikes to hit the rail network this summer following previous action which ground routes to a halt. 

Route director of Network Rail Scotland Liam Sumpter said: “This week’s strikes will once again cause significant disruption and we’re doing everything we can to minimise the impact on passengers, businesses and the wider community.”

Signal boxes across the central belt were turned on around 7.15am, although ScotRail has warned it could take until the afternoon before services are properly restored in other areas.