Rail passengers face another week of chaos with ASLEF industrial action

Rail passengers across Suffolk are facing another week of travel chaos with train drivers’ union ASLEF launching a six-day ban on overtime and series of one-day strikes.

Greater Anglia drivers are striking on Tuesday May 7 meaning severely limited services, and there will be six days of drivers not working overtime beginning Monday, May 6.

Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia’s managing director, said: “Unfortunately, on Tuesday 7 May, no services will run at all on most Greater Anglia routes, with just an hourly service during normal operating hours on the Stansted Airport to London route and an hourly service for limited hours on the Norwich to London, Colchester to London and Southend Victoria to London routes, plus a few services between Cambridge and London Liverpool Street.

“On the days affected by action short of a strike, the vast majority of services will be running as normal, but there will be some alterations and cancellations across our network and train services will start later than normal on Wednesday 8 May.

“Please note that an extensive engineering works programme will also take place on Monday 6 May and Saturday 11 May.

"This work is extremely important to help maintain the safe and reliable running of the railway and make it fit for the future. A rail replacement service will run while the work takes place.

“We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by these service alterations and advise customers to plan ahead and check before they travel.”

The action over pay affects 16 rail companies and the ban of overtime is expected to result in short-notice cancellations.

No talks have been held between the union and train operators for more than a year, and for longer involving the government.

Passengers are advised to check before they travel.

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “The Transport Secretary and Rail Minister have already facilitated a pay offer that would take train drivers’ average salaries up to £65,000 – almost twice the UK average salary.

“Aslef are the only union left striking after the Government oversaw deals with all the other unions.

“Instead of causing passengers disruption, they should put this offer to their members and work with industry to end this dispute.”