New Year's travel disrupted by rail strike

Image source, PA

A 24-hour strike is expected to cause disruption on some of the UK's main railway lines on New Year's Eve.

A walkout by Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) members will bring delays and cancellations on South Western Railway (SWR) and CrossCountry networks.

The union says it is striking over concerns about rosters, Sunday working and guards on trains.

The government has accused the union of causing "misery" for passengers.

Long-running dispute

Sunday's strike will disrupt services to and from London Waterloo, the country's busiest station.

Managing director of South Western, Andy Mellors, said: "We will do everything we can to keep our passengers moving during this unnecessary strike but passengers are warned to check before travelling and be prepared for queues if travelling back from the New Year's Eve fireworks."

CrossCountry is planning to run a reduced service between Newcastle and Edinburgh. There will not be a service between Glasgow and Aberdeen.

All other CrossCountry lines are expected to be affected.

The RMT union is planning more strikes in January on South Western, Southern, Merseyrail, Greater Anglia and Arriva Rail North.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "It's the continuing failure of the train companies and their political puppet masters in government to make any attempt whatsoever to resolve the range of separate disputes over rail safety that has led us to call this further action."

He added: "The responsibility for the disruption that will be caused lays fairly and squarely at their door."

'Show some decency'

Rail minister Paul Maynard said: "It is disgraceful that the RMT is seeking to cause misery to paying customers trying to get home to family and friends for the new year.

"Rail companies are working hard to keep passengers moving, and plan to run the majority of services, but we call on the RMT to show some decency and call off these strikes."

Over the Christmas period, snow and ice caused severe disruption to road, rail and air travel.

The Met Office has issued an amber warning covering Northern Ireland and parts of southern and western Scotland, as Storm Dylan arrives to bring a wet and windy end to 2017.

Forecasters warned there was the potential for "injuries and danger to life from flying debris", as winds are expected to reach 80mph.

Some disruption across the road, rail and ferry network is also likely.

However, organisers of Edinburgh's Hogmanay say they expect the event to go ahead, as any severe weather is due to happen before Sunday night's celebrations begin.