London(UK)- The UK’s travel chaos continues, with another rail strike planned today, bringing widespread delays and cancellations.
More than 40,000 rail workers are striking after talks failed to resolve a dispute over pay, jobs, and conditions.
Members of two unions are walking out, affecting rail services across the country – the latest industrial action adding to the country’s transport woes.
The industrial action doesn’t involve workers at Transport for London, but there could be disruption on the lines that share track with Network Rail.
These are the District, Bakerloo, Elizabeth lines, and the London Overground.
Some Elizabeth Line stretches will only have two trains per hour, and on the London Overground, a reduced service will operate between 7.30 am and 6.30 pm.
There could also be disruption the morning after the strike – 28 July – as things return to normal.
Passengers have been told to expect disruption and only travel if necessary.
But if you are determined or desperate, be aware that trains will start later and finish much earlier than usual.
Only around 20% of services will run, and national rail has urged passengers to check amended timetables – especially when their first and last trains will be running.
Some parts of the country will have no service at all.
Roads are busy with summer holiday traffic – the Port of Dover had long queues through the weekend, but Folkestone has since been called a holiday Hotspot of Hell by the AA. The usual culprits, such as parts of the M25 and M5, are still best avoided during busy times.
As for flights, staff shortages at airports and airlines have resulted in thousands of flights being cancelled and delayed – with no end in sight.
A spokesman for the Rail Delivery Group, which represents the operators, said: “Sadly, these RMT strikes will upset passengers’ summer plans, undermine businesses and upend the industry’s recovery, making it more difficult to fund a settlement