Rail strikes cause nationwide disruption across Britain

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) – British rail travel faces significant disruption as train drivers belonging to Aslef union embark on a series of 24-hour strikes and an overtime ban, impacting long-distance routes throughout the country.

Commuters and travelers alike are advised to brace for tumultuous journeys over the next four days.

Starting Friday, the strikes, orchestrated by drivers affiliated with the Aslef union, will halt most London-Edinburgh trains along the East Coast mainline.

Limited service on select routes will be available for LNER and Greater Anglia on Saturday, although the disruption remains palpable.

Aslef has issued a stark warning, vowing to prolong the disruptive industrial action until there is progress on its pay demands.

The union dismissed an 8% total increase proposal, labeling it "risible," particularly since some drivers have endured nearly five years without a pay raise amidst surging inflation rates.

This industrial unrest is part of a protracted pay dispute involving all national rail operators contracted to the Department for Transport. While the strikes directly impact firms based in England, cross-border rail services to Scotland and Wales will also experience disruptions.

In light of the ongoing turmoil, train operators nationwide urge passengers to verify travel arrangements before setting out.

The overtime ban, scheduled to persist until Tuesday evening, heightens the likelihood of short-term cancellations across the network, further exacerbating the situation for commuters and travelers alike.