FESTIVE TRAINS MISERY

Passengers facing ‘worst ever’ Xmas

A COCKTAIL of chaos means train passengers will endure the “worst ever” Christmas, with 11 days of engineering works, ticket mayhem and strikes.

Around 15million rail journeys are set to be made over the festive fortnight. But dozens of engineering schemes will take place during the period from December 24 to January 3.

There will be disruption on main lines across England and, for those trying to escape the country, the Gatwick Express will be axed for 10 days.

Timetabling chaos means some tickets for key routes are six weeks late going on sale.

Elsewhere, there are warnings of tickets being sold for non-existent trains.

Rail expert Ian Baldry, who runs IBPTS travel consultants, said: “It looks like the worst Christmas there’s been on the railways, with numerous problems combined.

“It’s ridiculous the Gatwick

Express closure hasn’t been announced. And it’s very unhelpful for customers that some tickets meant to be on sale 12 weeks before travel are still not available.

“Warnings about sites selling tickets for trains which do not exist is another concern, as are strikes.”

A Network Rail spokesman said while there were exceptions: “More than 90% of the rail network will be open for business as usual this Christmas period.”