Weekend rail chaos continues as Aslef strikes halt London services

Aslef train drivers’ strikes and working to lead is the latest move in a long-running pay row.

Disruptions Across the Midlands

Passengers are set to face another weekend of widespread train disruptions as a series of 24-hour strikes called by the Aslef union impacts services across the Midlands. 

Avanti West Coast, East Midlands, West Midlands Railway, and London Northwestern will see a complete stoppage of trains on Saturday. 

Meanwhile, LNER services on the east coast mainline have resumed after a one-day strike on Friday.

Overtime Ban Impact on Sunday

The accompanying overtime ban by train drivers across England is expected to have a significant impact on Sunday, particularly affecting operators where it is a contractual rest day. 

West Midlands Railway, London Northwestern, and Chiltern will not operate any trains on Sunday. 

Other operators, including Avanti, Great Western, and CrossCountry, will run reduced timetables. Govia Thameslink Railway in the southeast plans to operate far fewer trains and will have no services on some routes.

Last Wave of 24-Hour Strikes

The ongoing industrial action by Aslef, part of a long-running pay dispute across train companies contracted to the Department for Transport in England, is entering its final wave of 24-hour strikes. 

CrossCountry, Chiltern, and Great Western will experience strikes on Monday, with only Great Western planning to operate a limited service ending by early evening.

Impact on Cross-Border Services

While drivers in Scotland and Wales are not participating in the strikes, cross-border rail services will still experience disruptions. 

Passengers are advised to check timetables before traveling, as additional short-notice cancellations are likely during the ongoing overtime ban, which extends until the end of Tuesday.

Unresolved Pay Dispute

Aslef continues to push for a new pay deal, rejecting an 8% offer last spring. The union’s call for a referendum on the offer has not been heeded, leading to ongoing tension between the union, rail firms, and the government. 

The proposed pay rise would be the first for many drivers in five years. The industry awaits further developments in this protracted dispute.