UK rail strike: RMT walkouts will shut down half the network tomorrow

Trains are already cancelled the day BEFORE rail strike begins: 5.30pm Sunderland to London service is first to be axed ahead of tomorrow’s RMT mass walkouts that will shut down HALF the network

• First train axed by strike is 5.30pm Grand Central service from Sunderland to London King’s Cross tonight
• Caledonian Sleeper services between Scotland and London tonight are axed, while ScotRail is also affected
• London Overground passengers urged to finish journeys by 11pm tonight, with restart at 7.30am tomorrow
• RMT members at Network Rail and 14 operators will walk out tomorrow with just 20% of services set to run 

The impact of this week’s first rail strike will be felt from late afternoon today, before services are severely disrupted tomorrow when 40,000 workers stage a new walkout in the bitter row over jobs, pay and conditions.

The first train to be cancelled due to the strike is the 5.30pm Grand Central service from Sunderland to London King’s Cross tonight, while all Caledonian Sleeper services between Scotland and the capital tonight are axed.

Hull Trains will also be affected tonight with the 8.30pm from King’s Cross terminating early at Doncaster, while ScotRail warned of disruption this evening caused by signal boxes closing at different times across the country.

In London, most trains should operate normally today – but passengers were urged to complete journeys on the Overground by 11pm tonight, with trains not expected to restart on that network until after 7.30am tomorrow. 

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) at Network Rail and 14 train operators will walk out tomorrow, crippling services across the UK with only a fifth of trains set to run, on around half of the network.

Services will only operate for up to 11 hours from 7.30am to 6.30pm, and Network Rail has urged passengers to ‘only travel by train if they must, and if it is necessary, allow extra time and check when their last train will depart’.

Most routes are also expected to be disrupted during the Thursday morning rush-hour with a later start to services as employees return to duties – and many networks therefore will not get back to normal until mid-morning.

The Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) has also announced a strike by its members at Avanti West Coast tomorrow, while members of the drivers’ union Aslef will strike this Saturday on seven rail operators.

NETWORK RAIL: This map shows the operating routes in purple, although there will only be a limited service on those lines

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said union members were more determined than ever to secure a decent pay rise, job security and good working conditions.

‘Network Rail have not made any improvement on their previous pay offer and the train companies have not offered us anything new.

When are the next UK rail strikes planned? 

TOMORROW

• RMT strike
• Network Rail and 14 train operators
• Impacts from this afternoon until Thursday morning
• Tomorrow will see only 20% of services on 50% of the network, and only for 11 hours from 7.30am to 6.30pm

SATURDAY

• Aslef strike
• 7 train operators (Arriva Rail London, Greater Anglia, Great Western, Hull Trains, LNER, Southeastern and West Midlands Trains)

AUGUST 18 AND 20

• RMT and TSSA joint strike
• Network Rail and train operators

‘In fact Network Rail have upped the ante, threatening to impose compulsory redundancies and unsafe 50 per cent cuts to maintenance work if we did not withdraw our planned strike action.

‘The train operating companies have put driver-only operations on the table along with ransacking our members’ terms and conditions.

‘RMT will continue to negotiate in good faith but we will not be bullied or cajoled by anyone.

‘The Government need to stop their interference in this dispute so the rail employers can come to a negotiated settlement with us.’

Transport for London (TfL) said while the industrial action does not involve its staff, varying degrees of disruption are expected on the District and Bakerloo Tube lines, London Overground, and the Elizabeth line, which all share some sections of track with Network Rail.

Andrew Haines, Network Rail chief executive, 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 (Wednesday 27) and the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games (Thursday 28). 

‘It is frustrating to yet again ask our passengers to change their plans and only make essential journeys.

‘Only around half of Britain’s rail network will be open on Wednesday, with a very limited service running on lines that will only be open from around 7.30am until 6.30pm.

Passengers walk along the platform at London Waterloo station on June 21 during the strike by the RMT union last month

‘Passengers who must travel are urged to plan ahead to ensure that they can complete their journeys within this window, with last services from London to Scotland, for example, leaving in the early afternoon.’

Unions say Transport Secretary should ‘stop blocking’ rail agreement 

The TUC is calling on the Transport Secretary to stop ‘prolonging’ the rail dispute ahead of the RMT strike which will cripple services across the country.

The TUC said contracts between rail operators and government allow the Government to direct how the current rail dispute is handled, and to apply financial sanctions if operators do not follow directions given by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.

A legal opinion commissioned by the TUC from Michael Ford QC advises that the Transport Secretary has ‘very extensive powers’ over what can be agreed between rail operators and unions, and ‘very significant contractual power’ to direct how industrial disputes are handled.

Rail operators are not free to agree terms and conditions with their employees without the involvement of the Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, said the TUC.

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: ‘We all want to see successful negotiations to end this dispute. 

‘But the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is giving secret instructions to rail firms from behind the scenes and stopping them coming to a deal. It’s time for the Transport Secretary to stop blocking an agreement that will end the dispute.’

A Department for Transport spokesman said: ‘It’s extremely misleading to suggest the Transport Secretary should get involved in these negotiations. is role is to protect the public purse, ensuring value for money for the hardworking people of this country.

‘As such, he’s required to set the limits of taxpayer support and ultimately sign off on any deal, not to be involved in negotiating one, and his contracts with operators allow him to do precisely that. 

‘The union knows full well that negotiations over pay and working practices don’t happen with the Government, they happen with the employers of the people they represent. 

‘In this case, that’s Network Rail and the train operating companies. We once again urge union representatives to get back round the negotiating table instead of calling further strikes which serve only to bring disruption to people across the country.’ 

Steve Montgomery, chairman of the Rail Delivery Group, said: ‘We are incredibly disappointed that the RMT and Aslef leadership are continuing with this action, disrupting the summer plans of millions – including those attending the Commonwealth Games.

‘While we will do all that we can to minimise disruption to passengers, our advice is to only travel if it is necessary, and if you are going to travel, please plan ahead. 

‘If you’re not able to travel, you can use your ticket either the day before or up to and including August 2, otherwise you will be able to change your ticket or claim a refund.

‘We have a responsibility to bring our railway up to date and give our passengers a more punctual and reliable service so that we’re able to give our staff the pay rise they deserve. 

‘But it is wrong to continue asking taxpayers to shoulder more of the burden when they have already contributed £600 per household during the pandemic, or to expect passengers to fund it by paying more for their tickets, when they too are feeling the pinch.

‘We ask the RMT and Aslef’s leadership to continue talking so we can come to a deal that works for our people, our passengers and taxpayers.’

A Department for Transport spokesman said: ‘It’s now clearer than ever that the RMT has no interest in engaging in constructive discussions and is hell-bent on creating further misery for passengers across the UK.

‘This action is a cynically timed attempt to derail the start of the Commonwealth Games, one of the first major events the country has been able to look forward to since the pandemic.

‘As well as those travelling to the Games, RMT’s actions will affect people in need of urgent care, hardworking families off on long-awaited holidays and day trips, and businesses – all while a fair two-year, 8% deal hasn’t even been put to their members.

‘The rail industry has to modernise and be brought into the 21st century for the benefit of passengers and staff. We’re extremely disappointed to see that instead of staying at the table, RMT executives have chosen to walk away once more.

‘We continue to encourage RMT to do the right thing by their members and passengers alike and call off the strikes.’

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: ‘We are concerned about the impact this will have on the public going about their everyday lives.

‘And we will continue to call on the RMT to call off the strikes, it is in their gift to prevent this disruption.

‘We’re expecting a limited timetable on the trains, about 20 per cent of services to be running, and that’s with significant mitigations to try and keep as many trains moving as possible. So we encourage passengers to plan ahead.’

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch speaks at a rally outside London King’s Cross station on June 25 during the last strike

Meanwhile, another rail union announced strikes yesterday – with the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) saying its members at seven train companies will walk out on August 18 and 20.

Significant rail disruption expected with five routes to operate in Scotland 

Rail passengers in Scotland are being warned to only travel if necessary tomorrow, with strikes set to bring significant disruption to services.

Train operator ScotRail will be running a limited number of services on just five routes in the central belt during the industrial action by the RMT union, with some services also expected to be affected today and on Thursday.

It comes as bosses at the Unite trade union confirmed staff at Glasgow’s underground are also to go on strike – with the first walkout scheduled on the day of Rangers’ first home game of the season.

Tomorrow’s rail disruptions come as part of the first of three planned days of strike action by RMT members against National Rail and other train operating companies. Further action is to take place on August 18 and 20, with signallers and maintenance staff in safety-critical roles across Scotland set to take part.

ScotRail has warned passengers to only travel if necessary on the affected dates, and to plan ahead if they do. A very limited number of trains will run in the central belt between 7.30am and 6.30pm tomorrow.

ScotRail will run two trains per hour on the Edinburgh to Glasgow via Falkirk High line, the Edinburgh-Bathgate line, the Glasgow to Hamilton/Larkhall line and the Glasgow to Lanark line. One train an hour will run on the Edinburgh to Glasgow via Shotts service.

Services today and on Thursday are also expected to be impacted due to the closing and reopening of signal boxes at different times across the network.

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

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

Meanwhile, Unite announced on Monday that its members on Glasgow’s subway have voted by 99 per cent for strike action on an 83 per cent turnout.

Industrial action has been scheduled for August 6, 9, 13 and 27 in response to a dispute over changes to duty schedules, with the union saying its members are facing ‘significant work-life pressures’ due to increasingly being called in to work on short notice.

More than 200 members at Strathclyde Partnership for Transport are represented by Unite, including train drivers and station staff.

They are the same days as the RMT union is set to strike again against Network Rail and 14 train operators.

The TSSA said thousands of its members – including station staff, operational, maintenance, supervisory and management staff – will take part in industrial action.

Strike action will be taken on Avanti West Coast, c2c, East Midlands Railway, CrossCountry, Great Western Railway, LNER, and Southeastern.

Action short of strike will be taken in West Midlands Trains, Northern, Greater Anglia, TransPennine Express and Southeastern.

TSSA has held off on serving notice for industrial action in Network Rail in order to hold 11th hour talks over pay, job security and conditions.

There is still time to serve notice for action on August 18 and 20 if these talks are unsuccessful.

Manuel Cortes, TSSA general secretary, said: ‘This is a momentous day for our members. The Tories’ cost-of-living crisis is the worst in living memory. Essential items like food, energy and clothing costs are going through the roof yet the Government has chosen to pick a political fight with rail workers.

‘Most of our members are going into a third or fourth year of pay freezes, seeing their real take home pay decrease. For many rail workers in our union this is the first time they have been directly involved in an industrial dispute.

‘We do not take strike action lightly, but enough is enough. The Conservative government is the clear block to a deal for rail workers.

‘Transport Secretary Grant Shapps must either personally come to the table or empower train operators to reach a deal on pay, job security and conditions.

‘Instead of wanting to resolve this dispute, we now see proposals for hundreds of ticket office closures and widespread job cuts across our railways.

‘We’ve been warning of a Summer of discontent across our railways for months, and sadly it is an ever-closer reality.’

A spokesperson for the Rail Delivery Group said: ‘We’re really disappointed that the TSSA leadership has decided to impose yet more uncertainty and disruption for passengers and businesses.

‘Co-ordinated action by the union leaderships of the TSSA, RMT and Aslef shows a cynical approach to talks, a total disregard for passengers and is putting summer plans at risk.

‘Like any public service we have to change with the times, and it’s only by making necessary reforms that we can give our people a pay rise. Which is what we want to do.

‘Now is not the time for further strikes, so we urge the TSSA leadership to resume talks to reach a deal that is fair to staff and taxpayers, and which secures a bright, long-term future of our railway.’

A Department for Transport spokesman said: ‘It’s hugely disappointing that, rather than commit to serious dialogue with the industry, the TSSA is seeking to cause further misery to passengers by cynically coordinating strikes to cause maximum disruption to the rail network.

‘Our railway is in desperate need of modernisation to make it work better for passengers and be financially sustainable for the long term.

‘The only thing more strikes will do, however, is wreak further havoc on the very people unions claim to stand up for – people who, on average, stumped up £600 per household to keep our railways running throughout the pandemic while ensuring not a single worker lost their job.

‘We urge the TSSA to reconsider and work with its employers, not against them, to agree a new way forward.’

Britain grinds to a halt AGAIN: Maps reveal full extent of rail misery as militant union prepares to shut country down with UK-wide walkouts tomorrow and on Saturday that will leave just 20% of services running

Rail passengers are bracing for further misery this week ahead of a double strike tomorrow and on Saturday that will cause travel chaos across Britain – with two more days of industrial action planned for next month.

More than 40,000 workers at Network Rail and 14 train operating companies are set to strike in England tomorrow in a dispute led by the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) over pay, jobs and conditions. All passengers should then expect some disruption on the morning of Thursday, with a later start to services.

The Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) has also announced a strike by Avanti West Coast workers on the same day. National Rail said all train operators may be affected by tomorrow’s strike, whether they have an individual dispute with the RMT or not, because signallers control train movements across the entire country.

The companies affected by the RMT strike tomorrow are: Network Rail, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry Trains, Greater Anglia, LNER, East Midlands Railway, c2c, Great Western Railway, Northern Trains, Southeastern, South Western Railway, TransPennine Express, Avanti West Coast, West Midlands Trains and Govia Thameslink Railway (which includes Southern, Great Northern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express).

Network Rail has confirmed that operators will run just 20 per cent of normal services across only half of the UK network during the strike – with the trains that do travel only running for 11 hours from 7.30am until 6.30pm. 

The action does not involve Transport for London staff, but disruption is expected on the District and Bakerloo Underground lines, Overground and the Elizabeth line, which share some sections of track with Network Rail. 

Then on Saturday, there will also be a strike by members of drivers’ union Aslef at seven train operators – Arriva Rail London, Greater Anglia, Great Western, Hull Trains, LNER, Southeastern and West Midlands Trains. An Aslef strike on Chiltern Railways has been called off. Further RMT and TSSA strikes are planned for August 18 and 20.

The first train to be cancelled by this week’s strikes is the 5.30pm Grand Central from Sunderland to London King’s Cross tonight. Here, MailOnline looks at what services will be running tomorrow and on Saturday:

Avanti West Coast

Avanti West Coast – which runs services on the West Coast Main Line between London Euston, Birmingham Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow – has confirmed a limited timetable for Wednesday.

The operator plans to run one train per hour from Euston to each of Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and Preston, with a limited service onwards to Glasgow. These trains will operate during limited hours, with the first of the day departing Euston just before 8am and the last of the day from Euston departing mid-afternoon.

The day after strike action is also expected to be affected – particularly in the morning, as services will start later. 

Wednesday’s timetable means North Wales, Shrewsbury, Blackpool and Edinburgh will have no Avanti West Coast services. Trains will not call at Stockport, Macclesfield, Stoke-on-Trent or Runcorn, so these stations will be closed.

Passengers travelling to the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham are likely to be among those impacted by the chaos, which is likely to affect travel into Thursday when the event takes place. 

Avanti West Coast drivers are not taking part in the Aslef strike on Saturday, but the operator said ‘services are expected to be very busy as a result of the impact these strikes will have on the rest of the network’. 

AVANTI WEST COAST: The operator has confirmed a limited timetable for Wednesday. Its normal route map is shown above

c2c 

On the c2c route, where trains run between London and Essex, the operator will be running a reduced service from 7.30am to 6.30pm on Wednesday, equating to less than a third of normal service levels. This will consist of:

• Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness via Laindon: Two trains per hour 
• Fenchurch Street to Pitsea via Rainham: Two trains per hour
• Ockendon or Chafford Hundred: No trains

The first and last trains are detailed here, although c2c warned that these trains are likely to be very busy.

First trains:

• 07:30 Shoeburyness to Fenchurch Street
• 07:32 Basildon to Fenchurch Street
• 07:36 Grays to Fenchurch Street
• 07:44 Pitsea to Fenchurch Street via Rainham

Last trains:

• 17:00 Fenchurch Street to Pitsea via Rainham
• 17:05 Fenchurch St to Shoeburyness via Laindon
• 17:28 Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness
• 17:37 Fenchurch Street to Grays via Rainham

c2c has no service alterations planned for Saturday because it is not expected to be affected by the Aslef strike. 

c2c: This Wednesday, the rail operator will run two trains per hour from Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness via Laindon; two trains per hour from Fenchurch Street to Pitsea via Rainham; and no trains via Ockendon or Chafford Hundred

Caledonian Sleeper

Workers on the overnight Caledonian Sleeper services – which connect London with Scotland – are not involved in the RMT strike, but all trains scheduled for Tuesday night and Wednesday night have now been cancelled. 

The operator has not advertised any disruption for Saturday, saying it does not expect the Aslef industrial action to have any impact on services, but passengers should ‘check any onward travel plans which may be impacted’. 

CALEDONIAN SLEEPER: All services on the overnight Caledonian Sleeper have been cancelled for Tuesday and Wednesday

Chiltern Railways

Chiltern Railways will run a ‘very significantly reduced timetable’ this Wednesday, and has said it will ‘not be able to operate services on most routes’, with no replacement buses or alternative travel provided. 

Passengers have been told to ‘seriously consider the necessity of their journey’ on Wednesday and ‘please check your entire journey’. Here is a summary of services set to be available on Wednesday:

• 1 train per hour Marylebone – stations to Oxford Parkway (and vice-versa).
• 1 train per hour Marylebone – stations to Banbury (and vice versa).
• 1 train per hour Marylebone – stations to Aylesbury (via High Wycombe, and vice-versa).
• 1 train per hour Aylesbury Vale Parkway – stations to Amersham (and vice-versa).

There will be no Chiltern Railways service north of Banbury, nor to and from Oxford. The start of services will generally be between 8am and 9am, with the end of services between 4pm and 5pm. 

First trains to London Marylebone:

• 07.58 Aylesbury – Amersham
• 08.08 Aylesbury – Marylebone (starts from Aylesbury Vale Parkway 08.01; via High Wycombe)
• 08.23 Bicester North – Marylebone
• 08.42 Bicester Village – Marylebone
• 08.46 Aylesbury Vale Parkway – Amersham
• 09.08 Banbury – Marylebone
• 09.30 Oxford Parkway – Marylebone

Last trains from London Marylebone: 

• 15.15 Marylebone – Banbury
• 16.00 Marylebone – Oxford Parkway
• 16.15 Marylebone – Bicester North
• 16.35 Marylebone – Aylesbury (via High Wycombe; continues to Aylesbury Vale Parkway).
• 16.38 Amersham – Aylesbury Vale Parkway
• 17.42 Amersham – Aylesbury

Chiltern was due to be one of the eight train operators involved in the Aslef strike on Saturday, but this has now been called off. The strike will still take place among workers on the seven other operators.

CHILTERN RAILWAYS: The operator runs trains between London and the West Midlands (normal service above) but there will be a ‘very significantly reduced timetable’ this Wednesday, and it will ‘not be able to operate services on most routes’

CrossCountry

CrossCountry will run a ‘significantly reduced service’ on Wednesday and there could be further disruption on Saturday, although it hopes to run a normal service that day. Here are the route details for Wednesday:

• Plymouth to Bristol Parkway: Limited service
• Southampton Central to Manchester Piccadilly: Limited service
• Birmingham New Street to Leicester: Limited service
• Birmingham New Street to Edinburgh: Limited service
• Birmingham New Street to Bristol or Cardiff Central: No service 
• Plymouth to Penzance: No service
• Southampton Central to Bournemouth: No service
• Leicester to Stansted Airport: No service
• Nottingham to Derby: No service
• Stockport to Stoke-on-Trent: No service 
• Edinburgh to Glasgow Central or Aberdeen: No service 

CROSSCOUNTRY: The operator will be running a ‘significantly reduced service’ this Wednesday as shown in the map above

East Midlands Railway

The planned timetable for East Midlands Railway on Wednesday is follows – with the limited services only running from 7.30am to 6.30pm:

• Nottingham and London: One train per hour
• Sheffield and London: One train per hour
• Corby and London: One train per hour
• Derby and Matlock: One train per hour
• Derby and Nottingham: One train per hour
• Leicester and Nottingham: One train per hour, stopping service
• Nottingham and Sheffield: One train per hour

All other lines of the route will be closed and bus replacement services will not be provided. The last services from London St Pancras to the following stations will be at: 

• Kettering 17:11
• Leicester 17:11
• Derby 16:31
• Nottingham 16:09
• Sheffield 15:31

Services will start on Thursday after 7am with some reductions throughout the day. 

East Midlands Railway services are not directly affected by Aslef strike action on Saturday, but the operator said neighbouring train operators who are affected by that walkout will be running a ‘significantly reduced service’.

EAST MIDLANDS RAILWAY: The operator will run one train per hour between Nottingham and London, Sheffield and London, Corby and London, Derby and Matlock, Derby and Nottingham, Leicester and Nottingham and Nottingham and Sheffield

Eurostar 

Although the RMT strike on Wednesday does not involve Eurostar staff, it will have an impact on the timetable because running hours have been reduced on UK rail lines, including the high-speed line the operator uses.

Eurostar has cancelled three services from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord, five from Paris to London, one from London to Amsterdam Centraal (via Brussels Midi) and two from Amsterdam to London (via Brussels). 

The operator has also warned passengers of changes to the departure times of some other trains that are still running, but there are not expected to be any amendments to its services on Saturday as it stands.

EUROSTAR: Services on Eurostar to France, Belgium and the Netherlands will all be affected by strike action on Wednesday

Gatwick Express

Gatwick Express services will not run on Wednesday. However, there will be a reduced service running to and from London Victoria (on Southern) and London Bridge (on Thameslink) for those who need to get to the airport.

Services on Saturday are not expected to be impacted by the Aslef strike. 

Grand Central 

Grand Central plan to run a reduced service on its routes from London to and from Sunderland and Bradford on Wednesday. Trains will run on the North East route to and from Northallerton only, and on the West Yorkshire route to and from Wakefield only. 

The first train from Northallerton to London King’s Cross will be the 07:55, while the last back from London will be at 15:40. The first train from Wakefield to London will be the 07:59, and the last back from London the 15:40. 

In addition, the 17:30 service from Sunderland to London on Tuesday will not run. Services on Thursday morning will also be impacted, but travel on Saturday is not expected to be affected as it stands.

GRAND CENTRAL: Trains will run to and from Northallerton only, and to and from Wakefield only, with an amended timetable

Great Western Railway

Great Western Railway says it expects to operate a significantly limited service on Wednesday, with no trains on the following routes:

• All lines in Cornwall, including all branch lines
• All branch lines in Devon (Barnstaple, Exmouth, Paignton, Okehampton)
• South Wales main line (Carmarthen/Swansea–Cardiff Central)
• Berks & Hants line (Reading–Taunton via Castle Cary)
• Wessex main line (Bath Spa–Portsmouth Harbour)
• Heart of Wessex line (Westbury–Weymouth)
• TransWilts line (Swindon–Westbury via Melksham)
• Severn Beach line (Bristol Temple Meads–Severn Beach)
• North Cotswolds line (Hereford/Worcester–Oxford)
• South Cotswolds line (Cheltenham Spa–Swindon)
• Worcester/Gloucester–Bristol
• Greenford branch line
• North Downs line (Reading–Gatwick Airport)
• South Coast (Westbury–Southampton/Portsmouth Harbour)

Trains will then continue to be disrupted on Thursday, before a normal timetable will operate on Friday.

However, operator said the Aslef strike among GWR train drivers on Saturday ‘will have an even greater impact, and most parts of the GWR network will have no train service’. An ‘extremely limited service’ will only operate on:

• Bristol Temple Meads – London Paddington
• Bristol Temple Meads – Cardiff Central
• Reading – Oxford
• Reading – Basingstoke

No other GWR services will run on Saturday. In addition, the Night Riviera Sleeper service will not operate on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. It will however operate on Thursday.

GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY: GWR has not released a strikes map for this week’s affected days, but here is its normal route map

Greater Anglia 

Greater Anglia said no regional or branch line trains will run on Wednesday and a very limited service will operate elsewhere – but only between 7.30am and 6.30pm – when all trains must have arrived at their final destination. 

Trains on Wednesday will run as follows:

• Norwich to London Liverpool Street intercity service: One train an hour, with first and last trains from Norwich to Liverpool Street at 8am and 4pm, and first and last trains from Liverpool Street to Norwich at 8.30am and 4.30pm. 
• Colchester to London Liverpool Street stopping service: One stopping train an hour plus one intercity service an hour, with the first and last stopping services from Colchester to London Liverpool Street at 7.30am and 4.25pm and from London Liverpool Street to Colchester at 8am and 5pm.
• Southend Victoria to London Liverpool Street: Two trains an hour with first and last trains from Southend Victoria to London Liverpool Street at 7.30am and 5.13pm, and from London Liverpool Street to Southend Victoria at 7.47am and 5.30pm.
• Stansted Express – Stansted Airport to London Liverpool Street: Two trains an hour, with first and last trains from Stansted Airport to London Liverpool Street at 7.42am and 5.12pm and from London Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport at 8.10am and 5.40pm
• Cambridge to London Liverpool Street: One train an hour, with the first and last train from Cambridge to London Liverpool Street at 9.13amand 5.13pm. First and last trains from Liverpool Street to Cambridge will be at 8.25am and 3.25pm.

Thursday morning services will start later than usual and some morning trains will be cancelled. The timetable for Saturday has not yet been released, but services this day are likely to be affected – as well as on Sunday morning.

GREATER ANGLIA: The normal route map for Greater Anglia is pictured. The network will be running a much-reduced service

Heathrow Express 

Heathrow Express services will be significantly affected on Wednesday. There will be no services at all on Saturday due to the Aslef strike. Here is the current timetable for this Wednesday: 

• From London Paddington: Services are departing at 10 and 40 minutes past the hour, first service will depart at 7.40am, last service will depart at 6.10pm
• From Heathrow Terminal 5: Services are departing at 27 and 57 minutes past the hour, first service will depart at 7.30am, last service will depart at 5.57pm
• From Heathrow Central: Services are departing at 32 and 02 minutes past the hour, first service will depart at 7.35am, last service will depart at 6.02pm

Hull Trains

Hull Trains will be operating a reduced timetable on Wednesday, when they will only be running between Doncaster and London King’s Cross and only between 7.30am and 6.30pm.

Trains either side of the strike day will also be affected, with the 8.30pm from London King’s Cross on Tuesday terminating at Doncaster, and the 6.05am train from Beverley on Thursday starting at Doncaster. 

The timetable for Saturday has not yet been confirmed, but services will be impacted by the Aslef strike action.

HULL TRAINS: The operator will only be running services between Doncaster and London King’s Cross on Wednesday

LNER

LNER says it will run limited services between London King’s Cross and Edinburgh Waverley on Wednesday. 

There will be no LNER services to Aberdeen, Inverness and Glasgow Central. There will also be no services to branch lines of Bradford, Skipton, Harrogate or Lincoln, Hull, Middlesbrough and Sunderland. 

Here are a selection of last trains for Wednesday: 

• The last train from London King’s Cross to Edinburgh is at 2pm
• The last train from London King’s Cross to Leeds is at 5.46pm
• The last train from Edinburgh to London is 12.30pm
• The last train from Leeds to London is 3.45pm

The timetable will be even more limited on Saturday due to the Aslef strike, when there will be one train every two hours between Edinburgh and London in both directions, and just one return Leeds to London service all day. 

LNER: The operator says it will be running a reduced service on Wednesday, with the last from London to Edinburgh at 2pm

London Northwestern Railway

London Northwestern Railway expects to run a limited service will be in operation on the below routes between 7.30am and 6.30pm on Wednesday. There will be no London Northwestern Railway service on its other routes.

Trains will be running as follows on Wednesday: 

Crewe – Wolverhampton – Birmingham New Street (via local stations)

• 1 Wolverhampton – Birmingham New Street service per hour in each direction (calling at all local stations).
• 1 Crewe – Birmingham New Street service per hour in each direction (calling at Stafford, Penkridge, Wolverhampton, Smethwick Galton Bridge and Birmingham New Street).
• An additional Wolverhampton – Birmingham New Street service will depart Wolverhampton at 07.32, calling at Smethwick Galton Bridge only.

Birmingham New Street – Northampton – London Euston

• 1 Birmingham New Street – Birmingham International service per hour in each direction (calling at all local stations).
• 1 Birmingham New Street – Northampton service per hour in each direction (calling at Marston Green, Birmingham International and all stations to Northampton).
• 2 services per hour in each direction between Northampton – London Euston (calling at all stations except for Harrow & Wealdstone and Bushey).

Due to the knock-on effect of industrial action on Wednesday, morning services will start up later on most routes on Thursday.  On Saturday, the Aslef strike means no London Northwestern Railway services will operate.

LONDON NORTHWESTERN RAILWAY: The strike will have a significant impact on travel. Normal services are shown above

Lumo

Lumo – which also runs trains between London King’s Cross and Edinburgh – has announced a reduced timetable for Wednesday with some service amendments on the days either side of this. On Wednesday:

• London King’s Cross to Edinburgh: First train leaves at 10.45am, last train at 1.42pm
• Edinburgh to London King’s Cross:  First train leaves at 8.11am, last train at 11.15am

Merseyrail

Merseyrail will run an hourly service on Wednesday calling at selected stations only, between 7.30am and 6.30pm as follows:

• Chester & Ellesmere Port line – There will be no trains from Chester or Ellesmere Port. Trains will start at Rock Ferry, only calling at Rock Ferry, Birkenhead Central, Hamilton Square, Moorfields and Liverpool Central.
• New Brighton line – Trains will start at New Brighton and call at Wallasey Grove Road, Birkenhead North, Birkenhead Park, Hamilton Square, Moorfields and Liverpool Central.
• West Kirby line – Trains will start at West Kirby and call at Meols, Moreton, Leasowe, Birkenhead North, Birkenhead Park, Hamilton Square, Moorfields and Liverpool Central.
• Southport line – Trains will start at Southport and call at Formby, Blundellsands & Crosby, Waterloo, Moorfields and Liverpool Cental.
• Ormskirk line – Trains will start at Ormskirk and call at Maghull, Aintree, Kirkdale, Moorfields and Liverpool Central.
• Kirkby line – Trains will start at Kirkby and will call at Fazakerley, Rice Lane, Kirkdale, Moorfields and Liverpool Central.
• Hunts Cross line – no services will run.

On Thursday, trains will be reintroduced from 7am, and there will no rail replacement bus services for the early morning disruption. On Saturday, there is not expected to be any disruption to services as it stands.

MERSEYRAIL: There will be a limited Merseyrail service this Wednesday during the RMT strike. The normal route map is shown

Northern 

Northern says there will be ‘significant disruption’ to services on Wednesday and that ‘most Northern routes and trains will not run on this day’. Services on Thursday could also be affected. 

Northern say these services will still run on Wednesday, on the three strike days (all other Northern services will not run):

• Darlington to Saltburn 
• Liverpool Lime Street to Alderley Edge  
• York to Leeds
• Ilkley to Bradford Foster Square and Leeds
• Skipton to Bradford Foster Square and Leeds
• Leeds to Sheffield
• Leeds to Bradford Foster Square

Northern said it has not ‘received any notification from Aslef on any official industrial action, including strikes on July 30 (Saturday)’ – with a full service therefore likely to run on that day.

NORTHERN RAIL: Only a fraction of the Northern Rail network will run on strike days. The full normal route map is pictured

ScotRail 

Just five ScotRail routes will operate in Scotland on Wednesday, with a very limited number of trains running in the central belt between 7.30am and 6.30pm. They are as follows:

• Edinburgh to Glasgow via Falkirk High: Two trains per hour
• Edinburgh to Bathgate: Two trains per hour
• Glasgow to Hamilton/Larkhall: Two trains per hour
• Glasgow to Lanark: Two trains per hour
• Edinburgh to Glasgow via Shotts: One train per hour

There will also be disruption on Tuesday evening and Thursday morning ’caused by the closing and reopening of signal boxes at different times across the country’.

ScotRail has not listed any disruption expected from the Aslef strike on Saturday.

SCOTRAIL: This map shows the normal ScotRail network. Only five lines will be able to run on the strike day this Wednesday

Southern

Southern will be operating the following limited timetable between 7.30am and 6.30pm on Wednesday: 

Services between London Bridge / London Victoria and the south coast

• London Victoria and Brighton: Two trains per hour will run between London Victoria and Brighton, calling at London Victoria, Clapham Junction, East Croydon, Gatwick Airport and Brighton only.
• London Bridge and Brighton: Two trains per hour will run between London Bridge and Brighton, calling at London Bridge, East Croydon, Gatwick Airport, Three Bridges, Balcombe, Hayward’s Heath, Wivelsfield, Burgess Hill, Hassocks, Preston Park and Brighton only.
• London Bridge and Gatwick Airport: Two trains per hour will run between London Bridge and Gatwick Airport, calling at London Bridge, Norwood Junction, East Croydon, Redhill, Earlswood, Salfords, Horley and Gatwick Airport only.
• London Bridge and Three Bridges: Two trains per hour will run between London Bridge and Three Bridges, calling at London Bridge, Norwood Junction, East Croydon, Coulsdon South, Merstham, Redhill, Horley, Gatwick Airport and Three Bridges only.
• Brighton and Hove: Two trains per hour will run between Brighton and Hove only.

Services between London Bridge / London Victoria and South London

• London Victoria and Sutton: Two trains per hour will run between London Victoria and Sutton, calling at London Victoria, Clapham Junction, Balham, Mitcham Eastfields, Mitcham Junction, Hackbridge, Carshalton, and Sutton only.
• London Victoria and Epsom Downs via Selhurst: Two trains per hour will run between London Victoria and Epsom Downs, calling at London Victoria, Battersea Park, Clapham Junction, Wandsworth Common, Balham, Streatham Common, Norbury, Thornton Heath, Selhurst, West Croydon, Waddon, Wallington, Carshalton Beeches, Sutton, Belmont, Banstead and Epsom Downs only.
• London Victoria and West Croydon via Crystal Palace: Two trains per hour will run between London Victoria and West Croydon, calling at London Victoria, Battersea Park, Clapham Junction, Balham, Streatham Hill, West Norwood, Gipsy Hill, Crystal Palace, Norwood Junction and West Croydon only.
• London Bridge and Tattenham Corner: Two trains per hour will run between London Bridge and Tattenham Corner, calling at London Bridge, East Croydon, South Croydon, Purley Oaks, Reedham, Coulsdon Town, Woodmansterne, Chipstead, Kingswood, Tadworth and Tattenham Corner only.

Services will be starting from 7am on Thursday and there will be a Sunday service running for that day.

There is no disruption expected on Saturday due to the Aslef strike action as it stands. 

SOUTHERN: This map from Govia Thameslink Railway shows the trains expected to operate on its network this Wednesday

South Western Railway  

More than 2,100 South Western Railway staff are staking part in strike action along with Network Rail signallers, meaning it will run a dramatically reduced timetable on Wednesday with significant parts of the network closed.

A severely limited service will run between 7.15am and 6.30pm on the following routes on Wednesday:

• London Waterloo to Southampton: Two fast trains per hour each way. First train from Waterloo: 7.30am. Last train from Waterloo: 5pm. First train from Southampton: 7.30am. Last train from Southampton: 4.59pm
• London Waterloo to Woking: Four trains per hour each way. First train from Waterloo: 7.20am. Last train from Waterloo: 5.50pm. First train from Woking: 7.18am. Last train from Woking: 5.48pm
• London Waterloo to Basingstoke: Two trains per hour each way. First train from Waterloo: 7.15am. Last train from Waterloo: 5.15pm. First train from Basingstoke: 7.24am. Last train from Basingstoke: 4.54pm.
• London Waterloo to Windsor: Four trains per hour each way. First train from Waterloo: 7.15am. Last train from Waterloo: 5.22pm. First train from Windsor: 7.30am. Last train from Windsor: 5.30pm

There will then be a late-starting service on Thursday. No disruption is expected on Saturday due to the Aslef strike. 

SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY: There will be no trains beyond Southampton to Weymouth; or beyond Basingstoke to Exeter

Southeastern

Southeastern is warning customers to expect significant disruption across its network on Wednesday. Only 44 out of its 180 stations will be open, and no rail replacement buses will serve stations which are closed.

Passengers have been warned they may be unable to board trains at stations where a limited service is running, especially at locations such as Ashford and Ebbsfleet‘. Southeastern also said the last trains back from London will be ‘much earlier than usual’.

Southeastern will continue to run its three Dartford lines, with a disrupted service, between Dartford and London Bridge. That includes the route via Bexleyheath, the line via Sidcup and the line via Woolwich. Southeastern will also run its High Speed from Ashford to London St Pancras, as well as trains from Sevenoaks to London Bridge.

No services will run before 7am on Thursday. On Saturday, there will be no Southeastern services across the whole network due to the Aslef strike. The operator has said: ‘Please do not attempt to travel by train on this day.’

In addition to the strike action, until this Sunday there is a nine-day closure of the line between Victoria and Beckenham Junction/Shortlands while Network Rail engineers replace the track in Penge tunnel. 

SOUTHEASTERN – Limited services are set to run between London and Kent on Wednesday due to the RMT strike action

Stansted Express 

Stansted Express is operating a reduced service on Wednesday due to the RMT strike as follows:

• The first and last trains from Stansted Airport to London Liverpool Street are 7.42am and 5.12pm
• The first and last trains from London Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport are 8.10am and 5.40pm

There will also be disruption on Saturday due to the Aslef strike, but timetables have not yet been announced for that day.

Thameslink and Great Northern

Many stations and routes will be closed across the Thameslink and Great Northern network on Wednesday, with services only planned as follows:

Services between St Pancras International and Bedford

• St Pancras International and Bedford: Two trains per hour will run between St Pancras International and Bedford, calling at St Pancras International, West Hampstead Thameslink, St Albans City, Harpenden, Luton Airport Parkway, Luton, Leagrave, Harlington, Flitwick and Bedford only.
• St Pancras International and Luton: Two trains per hour will run between St Pancras International and Luton, calling at St Pancras International, Kentish Town, West Hampstead Thameslink, Cricklewood, Hendon, Mill Hill Broadway, Elstree & Borehamwood, Radlett, St Albans City, Harpenden, Luton Airport Parkway, Luton.

Services between King’s Cross and Peterborough / Cambridge / Ely

• King’s Cross and Ely: One train per hour will run between King’s Cross and Ely, calling at King’s Cross, Finsbury Park, Potters Bar, Hatfield, Welwyn Garden City, Welwyn North, Knebworth, Stevenage, Hitchin, Letchworth Garden City, Baldock, Ashwell & Morden, Royston, Meldreth, Shepreth, Foxton, Cambridge, Cambridge North, Waterbeach, Ely only.
• Cambridge and Ely: In addition to the above, one train per hour will run between Cambridge and Ely, calling at Cambridge, Cambridge North, Waterbeach and Ely only.
• King’s Cross and Cambridge: One train per hour will run between King’s Cross and Cambridge, calling at King’s Cross, Finsbury Park, Stevenage, Hitchin, Letchworth Garden City, Baldock, Ashwell & Morden, Royston and Cambridge only.
• King’s Cross and Peterborough: Two trains per hour will run between King’s Cross and Peterborough, calling at King’s Cross, Finsbury Park, Stevenage, Hitchin, Arlesey, Biggleswade, Sandy, St Neots, Huntingdon and Peterborough only.
• King’s Cross and Welwyn Garden City: Two trains per hour will run between King’s Cross and Welwyn Garden City, calling at King’s Cross, Finsbury Park, Harringay, Hornsey, Alexandra Palace, New Southgate, Oakleigh Park, New Barnet, Hadley Wood, Potters Bar, Brookmans Park, Welham Green, Hatfield and Welwyn Garden City only.
• King’s Cross and Stevenage via Hertford North: Two trains per hour will run between King’s Cross and Stevenage, calling at King’s Cross, Finsbury Park, Harringay, Hornsey, Alexandra Palace, Bowes Park, Palmers Green, Winchmore Hill, Grange Park, Enfield Chase, Gordon Hill, Crews Hill, Cuffley, Bayford, Hertford North, Watton-at-Stone and Stevenage only.

Services will start later on Thursday, but there is not expected to be any impact on Saturday from the Aslef strike.

THAMESLINK AND GREAT NORTHERN: This map from Govia Thameslink Railway shows the trains expected this Wednesday

Transport for London

There is no London Underground strike this time – unlike last month’s RMT strike – but some Tube services will be impacted by the action on Wednesday. The strike will also affect the Elizabeth line and London Overground. 

Most services will run as normal on Tuesday and Friday. But here is the service plan for Wednesday:

London Underground 

• Bakerloo line: No service between Queen’s Park and Harrow & Wealdstone
• District line: Disruption expected between Parsons Green and Wimbledon; and Turnham Green and Richmond. Those travelling on these sections of the District line are advised to complete their journey by 6pm.

London Overground

• Reduced service across the London Overground network. All services between 7.30am and 6.30pm only
• No service between Romford and Upminster
• No service between Barking and Barking Riverside
• No service between Surrey Quays and New Cross
• No service between Kilburn High Road and Euston
• No service between Camden Road and Stratford until 12pm
• No service between Sydenham and Crystal Palace until 10am

Elizabeth line

• Paddington-Reading: 2 trains per hour. Services running 7.30am to 5pm
• Paddington-Heathrow: 2 trains per hour. Services running 7.30am to 5pm
• Abbey Wood-Paddington: 12 trains per hour before 5pm. 6 trains per hour after 5pm. Normal finish time
• Liverpool Street-Shenfield: 2 trains per hour between 7.30am and 5.30pm. Trains will not stop at Goodmayes, Forest Gate, Manor Park and Maryland

On Thursday, services affected by the strike on Wednesday will operate a minimal service before 8am and restore a normal service by midday. These include the Overground, Elizabeth line and District line’s Wimbledon and Richmond branches. 

Then on Saturday, the Aslef strike will have the following impact:

London Underground

• Normal service 

London Overground

• No service expected. No Night Overground on Saturday or the early hours of Sunday. Overground services will return to a good service by 9am on Sunday

Elizabeth line

• No service between Paddington and Abbey Wood due to planned engineering works

LONDON — This Transport for London map shows the lines that will be affected by disruption on Wednesday in colour

TransPenine Express 

TransPennine Express (TPE) will be operating a very limited service on these routes this Wednesday: 

• Manchester Piccadilly to York
• Manchester Airport to Preston
• Newcastle to Edinburgh
• Sheffield to Cleethorpes

For journeys on Wednesday 27 July, ticket acceptance arrangements are in place in the event of TransPennine Express service cancellations with these operators between the following locations:

• Northern: Across the network
• East Midlands Railway: Between Liverpool Lime Street and Sheffield
• ScotRail: Between Motherwell and Glasgow Central
• Transport for Wales: Between Manchester Airport/Stockport and Newton-le-Willows

Services are not expected to be impacted on Saturday when the Aslef strike takes place.

TRANSPENNINE EXPRESS: The network will be operating a very limited service on the above routes on the strike day

Transport for Greater Manchester

All tram lines will run to their usual frequency and times, except the Altrincham to Timperley route which will only be from 7am to 7pm on Wednesday and at a 12-minute frequency. Services will operate as follows: 

• 6am to 7am – Piccadilly to Timperley only 
• 7am to 7pm – Altrincham to Bury (every 12 minutes) and Piccadilly to Timperley (every 12 minutes) 
• 7pm to midnight – Piccadilly to Timperley only

Transport for Greater Manchester said the Aslef strike on Saturday is ‘unlikely to affect journeys operating from Manchester, but the network is likely to be busier as a result’. The Metrolink will operate as normal that day.

TRANSPORT FOR GREATER MANCHESTER: Tram lines will run as usual on Wednesday, except from Altrincham to Timperley

Transport for Wales

Transport for Wales is advising customers not to travel by train on Wednesday, with the only services as follows:

Wales and cross border services

• The only services operating will be a Cardiff to Newport shuttle, with one train operating hourly in each direction, between 7.30am and 6.30pm. No other services will be able to operate.

Core Valley Lines

• Train services will operate between Cardiff Central and Rhymney, Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil in an hourly service in each direction between 07:30 and 18:30.

• Trains will be able to operate between Radyr and Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil before 7.30am and after 6.30pm (and then up to 8.30pm due to engineering work). Road transport will enable customers to travel between Cardiff Central and Radyr in each direction outside of these hours.

There is also expected to be disruption on the days prior and after the industrial action.

As for Saturday, Transport for Wales said:  

• TfW will be running a full timetable but ‘services are likely be impacted by strike action at other train operating companies’. It added: ‘This could result in short-notice cancellations and changes’.
• Services from Swansea – Newport are expected to be very busy due to the reduced Great Western Railway timetable. Passengers are ‘advised not to travel unless necessary’.
• TfW services Shrewsbury – Birmingham are expected to be very busy with the Commonwealth Games taking place and no services being operated by West Midlands Trains. Passengers are advised ‘not to travel unless necessary’.

TRANSPORT FOR WALES: Almost the entire Transport for Wales network (shown above) will be closed during the strike day

West Midlands Railway 

West Midlands Railway has said there will be a limited service in operation between 7.30am and 6.30pm on Wednesday on the following routes (with no service expected on its other routes): 

Cross City line (between Lichfield Trent Valley – Redditch / Bromsgrove via Birmingham New Street)

• 1 Lichfield Trent Valley – Bromsgrove and 1 Lichfield Trent Valley – Redditch service per hour in each direction, (calling at all stations).
• From 17.00, departures from Lichfield Trent Valley will run as far as Birmingham New Street only. From 16.30, departures from Redditch / Bromsgrove will run as far as Birmingham New Street only.
• Additional morning services will run between Birmingham New Street – Redditch departing at 07.53 and 08.53 (calling at all stations). An additional Four Oaks – Bromsgrove service will depart Four Oaks at 07.56 (calling at all stations).
• Additional morning services will run between Birmingham New Street – Lichfield Trent Valley departing at 07.36, 08.06 and 08.36 (calling at all stations).

Crewe – Wolverhampton – Birmingham New Street (via local stations)

• 1 Wolverhampton – Birmingham New Street service per hour in each direction (calling at all local stations).
• 1 Crewe – Birmingham New Street service per hour in each direction (calling at Stafford, Penkridge, Wolverhampton, Smethwick Galton Bridge and Birmingham New Street).
• An additional Wolverhampton – Birmingham New Street service will depart Wolverhampton at 07.32, calling at Smethwick Galton Bridge only.

Birmingham New Street – Northampton

• 1 Birmingham New Street – Birmingham International service per hour in each direction (calling at all local stations).
• 1 Birmingham New Street – Northampton service per hour in each direction (calling at Marston Green, Birmingham International and all stations to Northampton).

Morning services will start later on most routes on Thursday. 

On Saturday, West Midlands Railway services will not operate due to the Aslef strike. 

WEST MIDLANDS RAILWAY: The operator says the strike will have ‘considerable impact’. Its normal route map is shown above

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