Rail passengers face major disruption this Wednesday (27 July) as more than 40,000 members of the RMT union across Network Rail and 14 train operating companies go on strike.
A separate strike on Saturday 30 July will see train drivers at eight rail companies and around 5,500 workers in total take industrial action in a dispute over pay, union Aslef has said.
Network Rail said only a fifth of services will be running on around just half of the network on Wednesday and passengers are advised to check before they travel and only do so if absolutely necessary.
There will be a very limited service running from around 7.30am until 6.30pm.
Passengers should also expect disruption on Thursday morning (28 July) with a later start to services as employees return to duties.
Passengers with an advance, off-peak or anytime ticket affected by the strike on Wednesday or Saturday can use their ticket either on the day before the date on the ticket, or up to and including next Tuesday (2 August).
Passengers can also change their tickets to travel on an alternate date, or get a refund if their train is cancelled or rescheduled.
Passengers with a season ticket that is monthly or longer, who choose not to travel on 27 or 30 July, can claim compensation for these days through the delay repay scheme.
Controversially, those with a flexi season ticket need to have an 'activated day's worth of travel' to access delay repay, meaning that smartcard holders have to go to the station to tap in.
Further information is on the National Rail website.
Andrew Haines, Network Rail chief executive, said: '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) and the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games (Thursday). It is frustrating to yet again ask our passengers to change their plans and only make essential journeys.'
Steve Montgomery, chair of the Rail Delivery Group, said: '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 2 August, otherwise you will be able to change your ticket or claim a refund.'
'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 for taxpayers.'
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: 'Our members are 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.
'In fact, Network Rail have upped the ante threatening to impose compulsory redundancies and unsafe 50% cuts to maintenance work, if we did not withdraw our planned strike action.
'The Government need to stop their interference in this dispute so the rail employers can come to a negotiated settlement with us.'
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