COMMUTERS faced chaos yesterday as train drivers walked out on seven different rail networks following pay disputes.
Aslef union confirmed train drivers at seven rail companies are staging a 24-hour walkout in a row over pay, and millions of passengers were affected.
The AA warned motorists there may be severe congestion on major routes between 11am and 3pm today – with the South of England set to be affected.
It comes as drivers stranded in nightmarish queues at Dover WON'T be rescued by the RAC if they break down this weekend.
Roads around the Kent port have been in "meltdown" for days as families head away on summer breaks – with some claiming they waited 30 hours to board ferries.
Read our travel delays live blog below for the latest news & updates…
- henry moore
What can Brits expect today?
- Most services will run as normal
- London Overground services will return to a good service by 09:00
- If you are travelling on London Overground before midday, plan ahead, check your travel and leave more time for your journey
Conservative mayor fought back against strikes during Commonwealth Games
Andy Street, Conservative Mayor of the West Midlands, said the RMT strike on Wednesday had little impact on the Commonwealth Games, but Saturday was a “big test”.
“We are utterly determined that people should still be able to travel to the West Midlands and then use public transport to get to the venues. This has always been a public transport games,” he said, adding that an extra 600 buses were being deployed to help visitors get to the 16 venues where events were taking place.
“We’re determined not to let Aslef destroy the success of the games,” he said. “It is a rather cynical manipulation of the games for them to call their strike on the first Saturday of the event. It is an international celebration and I feel it is a great shame it is being targeted in this way.”
Labour MP Richard Burgon joins the picket line
Guardian Online reports that Richard Burgon is the latest Labour MP to join the picket line with Aslef union.
- Matt Snape
Union baron calls Shapps a liar regarding negotiations
The Aslef union has called the Transport Secretary a “liar” regarding rail negotiations.
Grant Shapps had written in The Times: “The ‘two Micks’, Lynch of the RMT and Whelan of Aslef, are taking the taxpayer for a ride, but not in the way they are meant to.
“RMT is stalling on reform and Aslef is dragging its feet in negotiations while both call more strikes. Enough.”
Guardian Online reports that Whelan replied:
“I say Mr Shapps is lying, quite simply, quite clearly.
“We’re not dragging our feet in negotiations, we negotiate with 14 private companies, we do not work for the government or the DfT [Department for Transport].”
“I would like Mr Shapps to get us out of this catch-22 situation that he misrepresents at every opportunity.”
- Matt Snape
MORE strikes planned next month, according to union baron
Next month will witness further rail strikes as a result of a deadlocked dispute over pay, jobs and conditions.
According to Sky News, this was confirmed by Aslef’s general secretary Mick Whelan, who insisted industrial action is “always the last resort”.
He added: “We don’t want to inconvenience passengers, our friends and families use public transport too, and we don’t want to lose money by going on strike – but we’ve been forced into this position by the companies, who say they have been driven to this by the Tory government.”
- Matt Snape
Advice for those sticking to travel plans during strikes
Passengers on routes affected by the ongoing rail strikes are being urged to plan ahead.
It is best to check if any trains have been cancelled.
Travellers can change their ticket, get a refund, or use their ticket until Tuesday.
- Matt Snape
MORE uncertainty and disruption for passengers, claims rail body
Rail membership body the Rail Delivery Group has attacked the Aslef union over the poor timing of its strikes.
The strike is going to affect Arriva Rail London, Greater Anglia, Great Western, Hull Trains, LNER, Southeastern and West Midlands Trains.
Sky News reports that Rail Delivery Group Chairman Steve Montgomery said: “We’re really disappointed that the Aslef leadership has decided to impose yet more uncertainty and disruption for passengers and businesses in a week which has already seen a strike by the RMT.”
- Matt Snape
Britain and France agree plan to thwart border CHAOS
Plans have been put in place by Britain and France to thwart border chaos and “maximise passenger flows”.
Sky News reports that weekly meetings will aim to prevent extra disruption on both sides of the Channel.
Roughly 140,000 passengers are anticipated to pass through the Port of Dover between Thursday and Sunday this week, as well as 45,000 cars and 18,000 freight vehicles.
- Matt Snape
Back again! Sam Tarry arrives at Aslef picket line at Paddington Station
Sacked shadow transport minister Sam Tarry has arrived at another picket line at London’s Paddington Station.
Guardian Online reports that Tarry and the London Assembly transport lead, Elly Baker, joined Aslef members at the station as thousands of train drivers from seven companies walked out for 24 hours.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer sacked Tarry on Wednesday hours after joining strikes at an RMT picket line at Euston Station.
- Matt Snape
Traffic disruption: What’s causing it?
There are three main factors to blame for this week’s traffic disruption:
- The Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
- The start of the Football League season in England.
- The rail strikes.
Prepare for stop-start traffic, AA warns
Rail strikes, the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, and football are all being blamed for severe traffic disruption this weekend.
Sky News reports that the AA’s Head of Road Policy Jack Cousens says the congestion will be a frustration for many, and drivers should prepare for stop-start traffic.
He added: “As well as taking food and water, some form of entertainment for younger passengers might just hold off a sigh and mutterings of ‘I’m bored!’ for a while.”
Strikes and traffic jams could RUIN summer holidays
Summer escape plans could be ruined today during a fresh round of rail strikes – as an ‘amber traffic warning’ was also in force on the roads.
Sky News reports that the Aslef union confirmed train drivers at seven rail companies staged a 24-hour walkout in a row over pay, and there were worries millions of passengers could be affected.
Meanwhile, the AA warned motorists there may be severe congestion on major routes between 11am and 3pm on Saturday – with the South of England affected.
No delays noticed after incident at Manchester airport
There are no delays reported but planes have been spotted circling above the runway.
Manchester Airport confirmed that there has been an incident in which the airport fire service attended a Tui flight this afternoon.
Tui plane emergency at Manchester airport as smoke seen billowing from jet engines
A PLANE has been spotted billowing smoke on the runway at Manchester Airport in front of stunned holidaymakers.
Fire crews raced to the scene at around 4.30pm shortly after the Tui flight landed.
Eye witnesses said fire engines then began spraying down the right engine of the aircraft after it reportedly overheated.
One eyewitness told MailOnline: "Suddenly just a load of fire engines appeared and started spraying it down with water while we were having a drink at the bar."
'We're really disappointed'
Steve Montgomery, chairman of the Rail Delivery Group, said: "We're really disappointed that the Aslef leadership has decided to impose yet more uncertainty and disruption for passengers and businesses in a week which has already seen a strike by the RMT.
"Millions of passengers will have their weekend plans disrupted, particularly those who are working, or going to the Commonwealth Games or the first football match of the season."
- Louis Allwood
Chaos on the roads
The AA said the M4/M5 interchange west of Bristol is "growing with traffic", while there were more cars on the road on the M5 heading south to Exeter.
Picket lines were mounted outside railway stations on Saturday, with Arriva Rail London, Greater Anglia, Great Western, Hull Trains, LNER, Southeastern and West Midlands Trains services all affected.
And strike action will be stepped up next month with a series of walk-outs in the bitter row over jobs, pay and conditions.
- Louis Allwood
Gridlocked motorists play table football and hold a PARTY on the M6
Gridlocked motorists held a PARTY on the M6 as train strikes lead to traffic hell.
Brits' weekend plans were in tatters today as staff at seven train firms launched a 24-hour walk-out in a dispute over pay.
The strike by members of rail union Aslef has seen journeys across country axed – with desperate sunseekers forced to take to the road instead.
But increased traffic left motorways jam-packed with massive tailbacks.
Congestion was so bad on the M6 that some stir-crazy drivers got out their cars and began a roadside rave.
- Louis Allwood
How will today's strikes effect travel tomorrow
- Most services will run as normal
- London Overground services will return to a good service by 09:00
- If you are travelling on London Overground before midday, plan ahead, check your travel and leave more time for your journey
Download the apps to help at airports
The easiest way to keep an eye on your flight information is by downloading the app of the airline you’re flying with.
You can keep your boarding pass and check-in details in one place, as well as looking out for delays and cancellation information.
Other travel apps like App in the Air are great for frequent fliers, where you can track itineraries and even get airport tips from other travellers.
SeatGuru allows you to pick your perfect seat by looking at a seat map and seeing every detail and rating whether seats are good or bad, and why.
Mick Whelan hits out
Mick Whelan, the general secretary of Aslef, has hit out at the transport secretary at the picket line about today's industrial action.
Whelan accused Grant Shapps of lying about the ongoing negotiations and hit back at the transport secretary for saying Aslef was "dragging its feet in negotiations".
The union boss told Times Radio: "I would like Mr Shapps to get us out of this catch-22 situation that he misrepresents at every opportunity."
Flight disruption to come
Ryanair flight attendants have staged walkouts throughout July and are now planning five more months of strike action.
The budget airline's walkouts will start from August 8, and run every week until January 7.
Ten Spanish airports will be affected, including Madrid, Malaga, Barcelona, Alicante, Sevilla, Palma, Valencia, Girona, Santiago de Compostela and Ibiza.
- Louis Allwood
Urgent warning to drivers after RAC breakdown crews WON’T rescue motorists
DRIVERS stranded in nightmarish queues at Dover WON'T be rescued by the RAC if they break down this weekend.
Roads around the Kent port have been in "meltdown" for days as families head away on summer breaks – with some claiming they waited 30 hours to board ferries.
But those who face engine problems in the gridlock over the coming days won't be able to call for help.
The RAC has warned members that recovery trucks can't make it through the traffic.
Instead, it's expected that National Highways officials will have to step in, the Telegraph reports.
The Government-owned agency, which is responsible for England's motorways and A-roads, says it will provide a free recovery service to drivers heading for Dover or the Eurotunnel terminal at Folkestone.
- Matt Snape
Conservative mayor fights back against strikes during Commonwealth Games
Andy Street, Conservative Mayor of the West Midlands, said the RMT strike on Wednesday had little impact on the Commonwealth Games, but Saturday was predicted to be a “big test”.
“We are utterly determined that people should still be able to travel to the West Midlands and then use public transport to get to the venues. This has always been a public transport games,” he said, adding that an additional 600 buses were being used to help visitors get to the 16 venues where events were taking place.
“We’re determined not to let Aslef destroy the success of the games,” he said. “It is a rather cynical manipulation of the games for them to call their strike on the first Saturday of the event. It is an international celebration and I feel it is a great shame it is being targeted in this way.”
- Matt Snape
Which rail services will be affected by the strikes?
The following services will be affected:
- London Overground – no service
- Greater Anglia – greatly reduced
- Heathrow Express – no service
- Great Western Railway – greatly reduced
- Hull Trains – reduced timetable
- LNER – greatly reduced
- London Northwestern Railway – no service
- Southeastern – no service
- West Midlands – greatly reduced
Labour MP Richard Burgon joins the picket line
Guardian Online reports that Richard Burgon is the latest Labour MP to join the picket line with Aslef union.
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