Rail disruptions expected in Bucks Beds and Herts in fresh series of strikes
An overtime ban and a full day of walkout will affect journeys into next week
Members of the Aslef union will be walking out in Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire in a fresh series of strikes.
The industrial action will see an overtime ban starting today (April 4) and lasting until Tuesday (April 9), with the exception of Sunday (April 7).
Members working across different operators will walk out on different days, affecting travels across the three counties throughout the week and into next week.
Media Relations Manager at Chiltern Railways, Matt Turner, said: "There will be disruption on the Chiltern network through to the beginning of next week."
"If customers are planning to travel, it's really important to check your journey before travelling as it may be impacted."
Across Chiltern Railways, a reduced timetable has been introduced in an effort to provide more certainty to customers on journeys planned.
"By reducing our service to one that ultimately we're quite confident that we can deliver for customers, and we know that's not ideal, but it does mean that we can try and offer as much certainty to customers as possible through what's quite an uncertain time for people travelling", added Mr Turner.
When can I expect disruption?
A strike on Friday will hit Avanti West Coast, East Midlands Railway, West Midlands, CrossCountry and London Northwestern.
On Saturday train drivers will walk out on Chiltern Railways, Heathrow Express, Great Western Railway, LNER, Northern and TransPennine Express.
A strike on Monday will affect c2c, Great Northern, Southeastern, South Western Railway (including the Island Line), Gatwick Express, Greater Anglia (including Stansted Express), Southern and Thameslink.
The overtime ban is expected until Saturday 6th, and another 48h overtime ban will be in place Monday and Tuesday.
What does Aslef say?
Aslef General Secretary, Mick Whelan, said: "Our members voted overwhelmingly - yet again - for strike action. Those votes show a clear rejection by train drivers of the ridiculous offer put to us in April last year by the Rail Delivery Group which knew that offer would be rejected because a land grab for all the terms and conditions we have negotiated over the years would never be accepted by our members."
"Since then train drivers have voted, time and again, to take action in pursuit of a pay rise. That's why Mark Harper, the Transport Secretary, is being disingenuous when he says that offer should have been put to members."
What does the government say?
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "Aslef is the only rail union continuing to strike, targeting passengers and preventing their own members from voting on the pay offer that remains on the table.
"Having resolved disputes with all other rail unions, the Transport Secretary and rail minister have ensured that a pay offer is on the table - taking train drivers' average salaries from £60,000 up to £65,000."