The train services across the UK continue to be face disruptions today, despite the lack of strike action, due to the knock-on effects that have stemmed from Tuesday’s walk outs. Normal services were forced to start later than usual and were then delayed leaving depots due to the Network Rail signallers and control room staff taking part in yesterday’s industrial action.
These workers would normally have worked through the night from Tuesday into Wednesday morning, ensuring that trains left their depots at the appropriate times, but the walk outs meant that trains left depots later than normal, delaying the start of services. Because of these disruptions Just 60 per cent of trains will run across the day as a whole, and some operators will wind down services slightly earlier than normal tonight ahead of Thursday’s walkouts.
Trains normally leave depots between around 3am and 4am, with passenger services beginning between around 5am and 6am. The process of taking trains out of depots only begin when signallers on daytime shifts start work at 6am-6.30am. Services have been delayed by up to four hours in some locations.
London rail services will increase quicker than across the UK as the trains do not have to travel prolonged distances between the depots and stations. This process is sped up via the interconnectivity of the rail line infrastructure within the city, whereas other areas in remote locations could take up to several hours.
Network Rail addressed the upcoming disruptions, saying that “even during the day the service will stay thinner” than usual and some operators will wind down services slightly earlier than normal. These will likely be similar to the rest of the week as strike action is expected to continue this week until Saturday 25th June. Around 20 per cent of services will run and just half of lines will be open, and only between 7.30am and 6.30pm. The continued strike action will see about 40,000 rail operators striking, with the exception of London Underground staff.
Passengers who must travel are urged to plan to ensure that they can complete their journeys within this window, with last services from London to Scotland, for example, leaving in the early afterno
