Holidaymakers, sports fans, and commuters in the UK are being urged to avoid train travel on Wednesday, with members of the RMT union staging a 24-hour strike.
Network Rail, which oversees rail operations across the country, has warned that only 20% of services will run, with some cities and towns having no trains at all. An emergency timetable has been drawn up with the last train from London to Edinburgh leaving Kings Cross at 14:00; to Birmingham leaving Euston at 16:03; and to Manchester leaving Euston at 15:40. Further information on what trains are available and how to get a refund if your journey is affected are available on the National Rail website.
The strike coincides with the women’s Euro semi-final between Germany and France at Milton Keynes, 50 miles north of London, and it takes place the day before the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Andrew Haines of Network Rail said: “Despite our best efforts to find a breakthrough, I’m afraid there will be more disruption for passengers this week as the RMT seems hell-bent on continuing their political campaigning rather than compromising and agreeing a deal for their members.
“I can only apologise for the impact this pointless strike will have on passengers, especially those travelling for holidays or attending events such as the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 semi-final and the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games. It is frustrating to yet again ask our passengers to change their plans and only make essential journeys.”
The strike comes after talks over pay, redundancies, and working practices again stalled following three days of industrial action in June.
Around 40,000 members of the RMT union working at Network Rail and 14 train operators will take part in the industrial action, with RMT General Secretary, Mick Lynch, saying: “If we could get a breakthrough, then we wouldn’t have to take strike action, but there’s a big gap between the parties at the moment.”
Train operators are warning the knock-on effect could cause disruption on some London Underground services, which, while not on strike, do share track with Network Rail, notably the District, Bakerloo and Elizabeth Lines, as well as the London Overground. There could also be issues with services the morning after the strike, so check first before travelling.
There are more RMT strikes planned for August 18 and 20, and there is also a strike by members of the train drivers’ union Aslef planned for this Saturday, July 30. Anyone with train tickets booked for Wednesday or Saturday – advance, off-peak or anytime travel – can travel the day before or up to and including August 2. Regular train travellers who hold season tickets and choose not to travel on strike days can claim compensation through the delay repay scheme of the train company their ticket is valid for.
