For those of you planning to travel by train, the ASLEF union is calling its members to go out on strike this week.
Unlike most previous strikes which crippled the entire rail network in one swoop, the strikes are staggered across the train operating companies over the week.
The strikes will impact train operators in England, along with the services run into Scotland and Wales. Note, that ScotRail and Transport for Wales are running their services as normal.
The planned strike dates this week are:
- Tuesday 30 January: Govia Thameslink Railway (Comprising of Southern, Gatwick Express, Great Northern and Thameslink), Southeastern, South Western Railway and SWR Island of Wight Line
- Wednesday 31 January: Northern Trains and Transpennine Express
- Friday 2 February: Greater Anglia, C2C and LNER
- Saturday 3 February: West Midlands Trains (Comprising of West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway), Avanti West Coast and East Midlands Railway
- Monday 5 February: Great Western Railway, CrossCountry and Chiltern Railway
There will be no strike action on Thursday 1 February or Sunday 4 February. In addition, union members will refuse to work overtime from Monday 29 January until Tuesday 6 February, which may result in late cancellations. .
For those connecting to airports
- Gatwick Airport will have a limited service on Tuesday 30th, with a Southern shuttle service calling at Gatwick Airport and London Victoria only. The Gatwick Express will not operate.
- Luton Airport will have a Thameslink shuttle service on Tuesday 30th calling at London St Pancras International, Luton Airport Parkway and Luton.
- Stansted Airport will have an hourly Standsted Express/Greater Anglia service on Friday 2nd February.
- Manchester Airport will have no rail service on the 31st of January. Use Metrolink or buses
- Birmingham Airport will have only a Transport for Wales service on Saturday 3rd February. You might find it quicker to take the X1 Bus to Birmingham City Centre
- Southampton Airport will have no rail service on the 30th of January. Use local buses
- Heathrow Airport is currently unaffected at the time of writing – however, the Heathrow Express may be impacted as it is operated by Great Western Railway. Use the Elizabeth Line or Piccadilly Line
Plan ahead
If you are planning to travel by train this week, you will need to plan to ensure you can meet a train if one is running and if you can reach your destination.
For those travelling to airports, there will be additional hurdles, with fewer, if any services running during the day when the train operator affected is hit by industrial action.
As usual, plan ahead. National Rail Equriese has late breaking and up to date news.
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