Rail strikes: How are services across East Anglia affected?
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Last updated 12th May 2023
Rail passengers across the East of England face fresh travel disruption over the next few days because of strikes by train drivers and other workers in long-running disputes over pay.
Members of the drivers' union Aslef will walk out on Friday at more than a dozen train operators, whilst members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) will strike on Saturday - the day of the Eurovision Song Contest final in Liverpool.
Passengers are being urged to check before they travel on both days.
Further strikes will be held on May 31 and June 3 - the day of the FA Cup final at Wembley.
"We do not want to go on strike"
Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said: "We do not want to go on strike - we do not want to inconvenience passengers, we have families and friends who use the railway too, and we believe in investing in rail for the future of this country.
"But the blame for this action lies, fairly and squarely, at the feet of the employers who have forced our hand over this by their intransigence.
"It is now up to them to come up with a more sensible, and realistic, offer and we ask the Government not to hinder this process.
"We have been negotiating with employers - the train operating companies - for many months on pay. On several companies we have managed to come to an agreement, and on several others, multi-year deals have been honoured.
"Unfortunately a number of companies still have their hands tied by the Department for Transport and aren't able to negotiate a reasonable deal with Aslef members.
"We are still prepared to negotiate in good faith but, unfortunately, as we have been unable to come to an agreement, we have had to consider industrial action."
Aslef said a 4% pay offer was "risible and obviously unacceptable".
What does the Rail Delivery Group say?
Steve Montgomery, who chairs the Rail Delivery Group, said: "The upcoming rail strikes called by the Aslef and RMT leadership will not only affect our passengers' daily commute but will also impact those travelling from outside Liverpool and London to come to Eurovision and the FA Cup final, causing disappointment and frustration for those who have planned to attend.
"It will also further burden our people who have already lost thousands of pounds at a time of financial strain.
"We understand the impact of these strikes on individuals and businesses alike, and we can only apologise for this unnecessary and damaging disruption.
"While we are doing all we can to keep trains running, unfortunately there will be reduced train services across the network between Friday May 12 and Saturday June 3, so our advice is to check before you travel. Passengers with Advance tickets can be refunded fee-free if the train that the ticket is booked for is cancelled, delayed or rescheduled."
Revised pay offer
The Rail Delivery Group said that after many weeks of negotiations with the Aslef leadership it had made a "revised and fair offer" including a pay rise of 8% over two years.
"It would have introduced overdue, common-sense improvements already in place in parts of the network, which would will see more trains running on time for passengers.
"Sadly, this has been rejected," said a spokesperson.
Here is a breakdown of each operator's plan for strike days:
- East Midlands Railway
Friday: No trains.
Saturday: Services will run between 7am and 7pm.
They will be limited to just one train per hour in each direction between London St Pancras and each of Nottingham, Sheffield and Corby, as well as a handful of regional routes such as between Derby and Matlock. No trains to or from Norwich.
- Elizabeth line
Friday: Usual timetable.
Saturday: The Elizabeth line is not involved in the industrial dispute with the RMT but there will be some alterations to its services.
These include no trains between Maidenhead and Reading before 7am or after 7pm.
- Great Northern
Friday: No trains.
Saturday: A limited service will run and only between 7am and 7pm. There will be no trains between Ely and King's Lynn.
- Greater Anglia
Friday: A reduced service will run and only between London Liverpool Street and each of Cambridge, Norwich, Southend and Stansted Airport.
Saturday: Trains will run between 7am and 11pm.
Some routes will have a reduced frequency, but most will have a normal or near normal service.
- Heathrow Express
Friday: No trains.
Saturday: No trains after 9pm.
- London Overground
Friday: Usual timetable.
Saturday: London Overground is not involved in the industrial dispute with the RMT but there will be minor alterations to some of its services.
- Stansted Express
Friday: Frequencies will be halved to one train per hour in each direction.
Saturday: Frequencies will be halved to one per hour in each direction, and trains will start later and finish earlier than normal.