Skip to content

Trains may not run for two days of The Open championships

Mark Simpson
BBC News NI communities correspondent
Getty Images Rory McIlroy wears a white cap and grey polo shirt. He wears a white glove in his left hand. He looks like he has just finished a swing and is holding a driver in his hands. He is looking up into the air like he is following the ball. There is blurred greenery behind him. Getty Images
Rory McIlroy's recent victory in the Masters means he will be the focus of attention at The Open golf championship in Portrush

An industrial dispute at Translink could lead to trains not running on two days during The Open golf championship in Portrush next week.

It is understood the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA) has earmarked Friday 18 and Saturday 19 July for strike action involving some of its members.

If the industrial action goes ahead, it would involve widespread disruption to rail services, not just in Portrush.

Translink has planned special buses and trains to Portrush, while maintaining about 13,000 services a day across the network.

About 270,000 spectators are expected during the eight days of practice and competitive play.

A train is approaching it stop. It is silver yellow and blue. It has the number 4012 in black writing.
The union concerned is TSSA (Transport Salaried Staffs' Association) which represents mostly railway workers

The first official practice day is on Sunday with the four-day championship beginning on Thursday 17 July.

The TSSA represents mostly railway workers in clerical, administrative, supervisory and managerial roles.

Last month, after a vote, they announced they were prepared to take strike action, if necessary.

About 300 Translink workers are in the union, and a warning was issued last month by the union that events such as The Open could be impacted if members take industrial action.

A Translink spokesperson said: "We continue to engage with our trade union TSSA to reach an agreement that will not impact passenger services."

Behind the scenes, contacts are continuing and there are hopes that a resolution can still be found.

It is six years since The Open was last in Northern Ireland. Since then a new transport hub Grand Central Station has opened in Belfast.

There is now a more frequent train service to and from Dublin which will make it easier for golf fans from the Republic of Ireland to travel to Portrush, if there is no disruption to services.

Who has previously won The Open?

Ireland's Shane Lowry won The Open at Portrush in 2019 amid raucous scenes of celebration on the 18th green.

Rory McIlroy's recent victory in the Masters means he will be the focus of attention when the four-day tournament begins on 17 July.