Rail disruption expected despite strike being called off
TRAIN companies are being urged to run a full timetable tomorrow, as it emerged that some services are set to remain “severely disrupted”.
Thousands of passengers faced chaos yesterday as rail services were crippled despite the RMT union strikes being called off. Rugby fans travelling to the Wales versus New Zealand match were among those affected.
Air traffic controller David Morton, 53, who lives in the Gwent Levels, east of Newport, said he was forced to travel into Cardiff four hours early.
Greg Smith, a Conservative MP on the transport select committee, said: “Train operating companies need to do everything humanly possible to get the full timetable back up by Monday.”
RMT abandoned union action yesterday, tomorrow and Wednesday, saying that Network Rail had about-turned on plans to force reforms to the working conditions of maintenance staff.
The Rail Delivery Group, which represents the rail industry, said: “The late notice means that while train companies are working hard to reinstate services, they will remain severely disrupted into next week.”
Last night, Network Rail, which runs the UK’s rail infrastructure, said there was “limited ability” to change the timetable for tomorrow.
One rail source said: “We are doing everything we can to reinstate services but the RMT leadership decided to suspend the strike at really short notice.”
Mr Smith added: “The unions have marched everyone up to the top of the hill only to call it off when it is too late for people with medical appointments or work commitments.”
One former transport minister said: “Under no circumstances must the Government give into the demands of militant union leaders.”
He added: “Even when the union leaders think they might be going to do a deal they still lose no opportunities to disrupt passengers’ lives.”
Steve Hedley, former RMT assistant general secretary, claimed members were “furious” about the decision to call off the strike and had only learned of the move through social media.