A DEVASTED dad will miss Christmas this year and leave his son heartbroken.
Owen fears he may not be able to see his 12-year-old son until next year and the joy of the festive period will be shattered.
The 34-year-old's son has Autism and it is common for those who are neurodivergent to struggle when plans are cancelled or changed.
He said: "I will phone him and have a chat [and say] I'm really sorry."
The Doncaster dad has to make the journey to Derby but has been forced to cancel his last four or five visits.
This distressing ordeal has been caused by rail strikes across the year, and now over the Christmas period.
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Owen told the BBC: "I have always been a staunch socialist…but it's been a year now.
"Enough is enough."
He had planned to make his trip on December 27 but won't be able to now due to the latest strike announcements.
Although rail worker walkouts have prevented him from seeing his son, the 34-year-old does feel "really conflicted" and recognises the impact of "people having their jobs threatened", as he lives in a former mining village.
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Owen does not know when he will be able to give his son a hug again, but fears it will be in the New Year.
The sectors that have confirmed strike dates include transport, postal services and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Those walking out will include signalling staff, whose absence is likely to cause great disruption along main lines, while smaller lines will have no trains.
The strikes will run from December 13-14 and 16-17.
If you're looking to travel over Christmas, you will want to double check the train timetable to make sure your service is running.
The National Rail journey planner is the best way to check if your journey has been affected by the strike – this is available on its website and app.
This comes as Brits across the UK are hit with travel chaos this Christmas, including residents in Stoke.
Road works will potentially ruin the festive period for locals who claim their road has been turned into a minefield of six-foot trenches.
The outraged residents have even said the construction work is so invasive, their houses vibrate.
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But, they may have to suffer the unbearable noise and disruption for the next 18 months according to Severn Trent Water.
This means Christmas may be ruined due to road closures and no where to park.
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