Train strikes – live: Christmas Eve travel disruption as drivers told ‘avoid roads until 7pm’
UK rail workers are slated to strike again tomorrow, on Christmas Eve
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Britons have been warned of train disruption ahead of a strike tomorrow as millions embark on Christmas getaway journeys, with motorists told to avoid the roads until 7pm.
The RAC, which expects 7.9 million leisure journeys to be made across the UK on Friday and Christmas Eve combined, published the alert for a stretch of the M25.
The 23rd of December is typically the busiest day for rail travellers ahead of the Christmas holiday, with 27 December the busiest for post-Christmas travel.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union are set to stage another round of industrial action tomorrow in an ongoing row over pay and conditions,
Earlier, a separate union warned that strikes by Border Force staff could last for up to six months as they staged the first of several days of action.
Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union, urged ministers to “get around the negotiating table” and make a better pay offer.
“Our strike mandate lasts right up until May,” he told the BBC earlier this morning. “We will be supporting this action up to May and we would re-ballot again if we have to.”
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch on walk-outs
“We feel that we’ve been compelled to take this action due to the intransigence of the government,” Mr Mich Lynch said.
“We’ve been faced with an extremely detrimental offer and our members simply aren’t in a position to accept the changes the companies have put on the table.”
Peony Hirwani24 December 2022 05:30
Which train company employees voted for the strike?
ASLEF, which represents 96 per cent of train drivers in England, Scotland and Wales, announced that workers with 15 companies, including Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway and Great Western Railway, had voted for the strike.
Peony Hirwani24 December 2022 04:30
When is the next train strike planned?
The RMT union has revealed that more than 40,000 workers across Network Rail and 14 train operating companies will stage a series of 48-hour walk-outs.
Industrial action is due to take place over the key Christmas period, with members walking out from 6pm on 24 December until 7am on 27 December. Most trains do not run on 25 and 26 December anyway, but those aiming to travel by rail to see loved ones either side of Christmas Day will be affected.
Further walkouts will then take place on 3, 4, 6 and 7 January 2023.
Peony Hirwani24 December 2022 03:30
Advice if you break down
National Highways has issued advice for anyone who gets into trouble on a motorway - go left.
If your vehicle has a problem, or you get into trouble on a motorway, stay calm and try to exit at the next junction or motorway service area. If that’s not possible:
Sam Rkaina23 December 2022 18:33
AA list roads facing problems tonight
Sam Rkaina23 December 2022 17:12
Christmas congestion increasing, AA warns
Several popular routes have been blighted with traffic jams today, including collisions on the M1 and the M25 partially closed due to flooding.
The AA has attended 9,000 breakdowns so far today, with more expected as the last of the nation’s office-based staff head for home, or further afield.
AA RoadWatch is reporting problems across the network, including on the M1 near Toddington Services, A12 and A120 into Colchester and the M11 near Stansted Airport.
Edmund King, AA president, said: “The wet weather has played a role in adding to congestion on the roads, which were already busier due to the ongoing rail strikes. The rain has also led to more pothole breakdowns, such as punctures, as the puddles tend to hid the potholes.
“Our five-star patrols are working flat out to rescue drivers and get them back on their way. Some of these breakdowns could have been avoided by drivers carrying out essential checks before they venture out.”
Alice Murphy23 December 2022 16:22
ICYMI: All the rail strike dates confirmed for January 2023
The ASLEF union of train drivers has announced that its members will strike over pay on Thursday 5 January 2023, joining their RMT counterparts in undertaking industrial action in the first week of the new year and leaving rail commuters stranded for five consecutive days.
ASLEF, which represents 96 per cent of train drivers in England, Scotland and Wales, announced that workers with 15 companies, including Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway and Great Western Railway, had voted for the strike.
My colleague Joe Sommerlad has more below:
Matt Mathers23 December 2022 16:00
Watch: When are strike happening in
The UK is set to become inundated with strikes across multiple sectors as we ring in the new year.
Industrial action is planned for January by nurses, ambulance drivers, and rail workers over pay disputes with the government.
Commuters will be impacted by rail strikes by both the RMT union ASLEF union, with the health sector hit by action by the Unison union and the Royal College of Nursing.
This video outlines which strikes will be taking place in January, and when exactly we will be impacted by them.
Watch the video here:
When are strikes happening in January?
The UK is set to become inundated with strikes across multiple sectors as we ring in the new year. Industrial action is planned for January by nurses, ambulance drivers, and rail workers over pay disputes with the government. Commuters will be impacted by rail strikes by both the RMT union ASLEF union, with the health sector hit by action by the Unison union and the Royal College of Nursing. This video outlines which strikes will be taking place in January, and when exactly we will be impacted by them. Click here to sign up for our newsletters.
Matt Mathers23 December 2022 15:40
Andy Burnham calls for London-style transport for Manchester
Andy Burnham said he wants a London-style integrated transport system for Greater Manchester as he announced the award of the first new bus franchises in the region.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester said discussions were on-going with government as part of a further deal on devolution, more powers transferred from Whitehall to regions, about integrating overland train services with bus, trams and bikes.
It would create a "tap in tap out" system for any of the 2.5 million people in the Greater Manchester region using public transport.
Full story:
Matt Mathers23 December 2022 15:21
Christmas Day snow warning for Scotland as rain lashes rest of Britain
A Christmas Day snow warning has been issued for large parts of Scotland, with up to 10cm forecast for higher ground as gale force winds bring the risk of drifting and blizzards.
Frequent blustery snow showers are likely to cause some travel disruption to higher routes, the Met Office said in a yellow weather warning on Friday.
My colleague Alastair Jamieson reports:
Matt Mathers23 December 2022 14:45
