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Rail strikes are set to cripple the network again for the next two weekends – as rugby fans travelling to Twickenham and Cardiff are warned not to go by train.
Drivers from 11 rail companies, part of the Aslef union, will walk out on November 26 in a long-running dispute over pay which will halt passengers yet again.
Train companies have advised passengers that some services will be severely disrupted, and some will not run at all as a winter of discontent looms amid mass strike action cross the UK.
Along with rail workers, bus drivers, postmen, nurses, civil servants and even Asda staff are due to strike in the coming months.
The rail strike will affect the following train operators: Avanti West Coast; Chiltern Railways; CrossCountry; East Midlands Railway; Great Western Railway; Greater Anglia; London North Eastern Railway; Northern Trains; Southeastern; Transpennine Express, and West Midlands Trains.
Rugby fans are set to be among the hardest hit as they will be forced to look for alternative ways to get to England v South Africa at Twickenham and to Cardiff for the Autumn International match Wales v Australia.
Disruption is expected to spill over onto Sunday November 27 before disgruntled workers return.
Drivers from 11 rail companies, part of the Aslef union, will walk out on November 26 in a long-running dispute over pay which will halt passengers yet again. Pictured: Aslef striking in October
Rugby fans are set to be among the hardest hit as they will be forced to look for alternative ways to get to England v South Africa at Twickenham. Pictured: England v Japan last weekend at Twickenham
Those travelling to Cardiff for the Autumn International match Wales v Australia will also be severely impacted. Pictured: Wales v New Zealand last weekend at Principality Stadium
But before the chaos unfolds, this Sunday, Avanti West Coast strongly advised customers to check before they travel ahead of further strike action by RMT members working as train managers.
A significantly reduced timetable will be in operation, with fewer services running during limited operating hours.
On Sunday, the inter-city operator runs one train per hour from London Euston to each of Manchester, Glasgow, and Liverpool, with services to Liverpool going via the West Midlands (including calls at Coventry, Birmingham International, Birmingham New Street and Wolverhampton) due to planned upgrade work by Network Rail between Rugby and Stafford.
The rail strike will affect the following train operators: Avanti West Coast; Chiltern Railways; CrossCountry; East Midlands Railway; Great Western Railway (pictured); Greater Anglia; London North Eastern Railway; Northern Trains; Southeastern; Transpennine Express, and West Midlands Trains
This Sunday Avanti West Coast strongly advised customers to check before they travel ahead of further strike action by RMT (pictured striking in October) members working as train managers
It comes as a winter of discontent looms with bus drivers, postmen, nurses, civil servants and even Asda staff due to strike before Christmas
Due to limited operating hours, the first train of the day will depart Euston just after 8am and the last train of the day from Euston will depart mid-afternoon, around 4.30pm.
The major upgrade work will also mean services to some destinations will have longer journey times, as trains are diverted.
Due to the limited journey options, fans attending the Comic Con event in Liverpool are advised to find other ways of getting there.
North Wales, Shrewsbury, Chester, Blackpool and Edinburgh will have no Avanti West Coast services because the timetable is significantly reduced.
With fewer services running during shorter hours of operation, trains are expected to be packed, and customers are strongly advised to check before they travel, including the details of their last train home.
Members of the RMT at Thames Valley Signalling Centre in Didcot are on strike on Saturday and Monday over the sacking of one of its local officials.
A spokesman said: ‘We do not want to disrupt passengers but employers should follow proper procedures and our members feel that was not done in this case.
‘The union is also considering its options including legal action and will not be commenting further.’
Passengers travelling between Penzance and London Paddington were warned to expect disruption, with a limited service across many parts of the Western route between 7.30am until 6.30pm with the last trains leaving much earlier.
GWR passengers travelling from the West and South West attending the England vs New Zealand international rugby union game at Twickenham are told to not travel by train.
Rugby fans attending the Wales v Georgia game in Cardiff looking to return towards Bristol and other parts of western and southern England are advised to do so immediately after the match ends.
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