Plans for rest and weekend getaways could be severely disrupted today in the wake of a new rail strike – with an “amber traffic warning” also in effect on lines Street.
Aslef union said train drivers at seven railway companies were organizing a 24-hour walkout in a dispute over wages, and there were fears millions of passengers could be disrupted.
Elsewhere, the AA is warning motorists there could be severe congestion on main roads between 11am and 3pm today – with the South of England set to be the place. particularly vulnerable.
Several factors were to blame – including rail strikes, the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and the start of the Football League season in England.
Drivers are being asked to prepare for traffic to stop starting as the weekend begins, and AA’s head of road policy Jack Cousens says congestion will be a disappointment for many.
He added: “As well as getting food and water, some forms of entertainment for younger passengers might just sigh and mutter ‘I’m bored!’ in a period of time. “
Roads into Dover Harbor and the Eurotunnel station in Folkestone were unaffected by traffic yesterday, but Highways said this weekend “could be extremely busy”.
Britain and France have now planned to prevent chaos at the border and “maximize the flow of passengers”, and weekly meetings will aim to avoid further disruption on both sides of the Channel.
About 140,000 passengers are expected to pass through the Port of Dover between Thursday and Sunday this week, as well as 45,000 cars and 18,000 freight cars.
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‘We need to remove the power of militant alliances’
‘More uncertainty and disruption’
The Rail Delivery Group has accused the union Aslef of timing its industrial operations to coincide with major sporting events.
Today’s strike will affect Arriva Rail London, Greater Anglia, Great Western, Hull Trains, LNER, Southeast and West Midlands Trains.
Railroad Delivery Group President Steve Montgomery said: “We are deeply disappointed that Aslef management’s decision to impose further uncertainties and disruptions on passengers and businesses in a week has already seen. an RMT strike.”
Passengers on affected routes are encouraged to plan ahead and check before travel – and if trains are cancelled, travelers can exchange tickets, get refunds or use tickets until Tuesday .
Further strikes are planned for next month amid an impasse over wages, employment and conditions – with Secretary-General Aslef Mick Whelan insisting industrial action is “always a last resort”.
He added: “We didn’t want to inconvenience our passengers, friends and family who also use public transport, and we didn’t want to lose money on strike – but we were forced into this position by companies who say they were motivated by the Tory government.”
Mr Whelan claims that many Aslef members have not had a raise in three years – and with inflation “at 10 per cent in the north”, these drivers have seen their wages drop in the second half of the year. actual event.
“It’s not unreasonable to ask your employer to make sure you don’t get worse for three years in a row,” he said. “Especially when the train companies are doing so well, thank you, apart from British railways, with high profits, dividends to shareholders, and good pay for managers, and drivers. ships don’t want to work longer with lower wages.”
