EAST Renfrewshire's rail network will grind to a halt again this week as a result of strike action.

Members of the RMT union who work for Network Rail are to walk out over a pay dispute on Thursday and Saturday.

While the dispute does not involve ScotRail, signallers will be among those taking industrial action, which will have a knock-on effect that will see all local services being cancelled.

Elsewhere, a limited number of trains will be running on a small number of routes, including some which link Glasgow and Edinburgh, during the strike days.

Disruption is also likely to be felt on Friday and Sunday, as signal boxes are switched back on after the strike action.

David Simpson, ScotRail's 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.

"Customers should expect significant disruption to services on strike days, as well as the following day."

Mick Lynch, RMT secretary general, said the dispute is "not just about a wage rise."

He added: "The government and the employers want to slash jobs, terms and conditions, as well as services like ticket offices.

"The transport minister, Grant Shapps, is now threatening our members with P&O-style fire and rehire and the reintroduction of driver-only operated services, which will lead to a fall in safety standards and job losses.

"If Mr Shapps proceeds on this course, RMT will use the industrial mandate it has from its 40,000 members in this dispute to take more strike action in the coming weeks and months."