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Rail passengers warned of fresh rail strike set to cause further disruption

Times Series: Trains in sidings near Ashford railway station in Kent (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Rail passengers are being warned of new disruption to services due to a planned strike by train drivers at nine companies amid the continuing row over pay and conditions.

The 24-hour walkout by members of the Aslef union will take place on Saturday, August 13, meaning it will coincide with another busy weekend of football with Premier League games in Manchester, London, Birmingham and Brighton likely to be affected, industry leaders have said.  

Timetables will be published on Tuesday, August 9 but passengers are being advised to follow the latest travel advice, check before they set off, and allow extra time for their journey.

Other companies not involved in the strike will be running trains, but these are expected to be busy.

Trains in sidings near Ashford railway station in Kent (Gareth Fuller/PA)

The strikes will affect Arriva Rail London, Avanti West Coast, Crosscountry, Greater Anglia (including Stansted Express), Great Western, Hull Trains, LNER, London Overground, Southeastern and West Midlands Trains.

Passengers are also advised to consider starting journeys later on Sunday, August 14.

Passengers with advance, off-peak or anytime tickets affected by the strike can use their ticket either on the day before the date on the ticket, or up to and including Tuesday August 16, or can change their tickets to travel on an alternate date, or get a refund if their train is cancelled or rescheduled.

Steve Montgomery, chairman of the Rail Delivery Group, said: “We’re really disappointed that the Aslef leadership has, for the second time in as many weeks, decided to impose yet more uncertainty for passengers and businesses by disrupting passengers’ weekend plans.

“I will reiterate what I’ve previously said – I am ready and willing to talk to the leadership of Aslef today, tomorrow or indeed any time next week. They should call off next week’s action and talk to us instead. What our passengers and our staff expect is for us to talk and work out a way through this.

“While we will do all that we can to minimise disruption and to get passengers where they need to be, if you are going to travel on the routes affected, please plan ahead and check the latest travel advice.

“Like any service or business, things do not just stand still and we must move with the times. We want to give our people a pay rise as we know everyone is feeling the pinch due to the cost-of-living rises.

“We have…

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