Monitoring Desk
ISLAMABAD/LONDON: Train passengers have been warned to avoid travelling on Saturday unless “absolutely necessary,” as further walkouts are set to cause disruption.
Network Rail authorities said a Christmas Eve strike by its rail workers over pay could severely impact the services. Trains will finish at around 15:00 before The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (commonly known as the RMT), a British trade union covering the transport sector, members begin industrial action at 18:00.
The industrial action at the Network Rail, which maintains the UK’s rail system, should continue until 06:00 on 27 December, according to BBC. Network Rail authorities said there would be “important reduced services across a rail network on Christmas Eve.”
Last trains
Last trains on long-distance routes should depart much earlier, with some rail companies unable to run any services. The last train times on main routes include the 09:45 from Leeds to London, the 11:22 from London to Edinburgh, and the 12:48 from London to Manchester.
Rail strikes have expected to add to the traffic on the roads at what is already a busy time of year.
The Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) said that a recent survey showed just under a third of UK adults said they would be driving to see family and friends ahead of Christmas when they would usually use the train.
AA president Edmund King said that the traffic nightmare before Christmas is getting worse.
