Biggest rail strike of the year decimates train services
Members of three unions are striking at the same time
Only one in ten trains will run today as Britain’s rail network is hit by the biggest rail strike of the year.
Network Rail say there will be no trains in many areas and only 11% of normal services will run.
Lines will be closed for the whole day between London and several major cities such as Birmingham, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Newcastle, Norwich and Manchester.
Today's disruption is set to be much worse than previous strikes this year as members of three unions are striking at the same time.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT), Aslef, Unite and the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) will stage the co-ordinated walkout in a row over pay, jobs and conditions.
Which trains are affected by the strikes today?
Nearly all services will be affected with rail passengers being urged only to travel if necessary
Avanti West Coast will not run any trains, and there will be no services between England and Wales.
The last direct trains from London include 3.06pm to Leeds, 3.32pm to Sheffield and 4.33pm to Bristol.
Passengers are advised to check National Rail Enquiries or their train operator’s website for updates.
Services will start later than normal on Sunday morning as well.
Network rail advises to only travel if its "absolutely necessary"
Network Rail chief executive Andrew Haines said: “Passengers who want to travel this Saturday, and indeed next Wednesday and next Saturday, are asked only to do so if absolutely necessary.
“Those who must travel should expect disruption and make sure they check when their last train will depart.”
Passengers with a ticket for Saturday whose journey is cancelled or rescheduled are entitled to a refund.
Alternatively, they can travel either on Friday or another day up to and including Tuesday October 4.
Season ticket holders are entitled to compensation through the delay repay scheme.
"We don't want to strike"
Mick Whelan, general secretary of Aslef, told the PA News Agency that his members were increasingly angry at the lack of progress in the dispute.
“We don’t want to be on strike, but this dispute will continue until the Government lifts the shackles from the train companies.
“The message I am receiving from my members is that they want more industrial action, so I think more strikes are inevitable.”
Another strike by Aslef will be held on Wednesday, while RMT members will walk out again on October 8, and again on October 10 in Scotland.