North London train disruption as Aslef and RMT strike
Members of Aslef union and the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) at various train operators are walking out in long-running disputes today (May 12) and tomorrow respectively.
Rail minister Huw Merriman has urged the two unions to put the UK Government’s “fair and reasonable” pay offer to its members in a bid to avert further strikes.
But Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan accused the Government of acting in “bad faith” during negotiations with the union, claiming that he does not think ministers want a solution.
Here is a breakdown of each operator’s plan for strike days and how this will affect rail services in north London.
Avanti West Coast
The operator runs services from London Euston.
Friday – No trains
Saturday – Fewer trains than normal will run and only between 7am and 7pm, with the exception of some services to and from Liverpool which is hosting the Eurovision song contest
Chiltern Railways
The operator runs services from London Marylebone. Other north London stations include Wembley Stadium, Harrow-on-the-Hill, Sudbury Hill Harrow, Sudbury and Harrow Road, and Northolt Park.
Friday – No trains
Saturday – No trains will run north of Banbury.
Services that do run will be limited to one train per hour in both directions between London Marylebone and each of Banbury, Oxford and Aylesbury via Amersham, and only between around 9am and 9pm.
East Midlands Railway
The operator runs services from London St Pancras.
Friday – No trains.
Saturday – Services will run between 7am and 7pm.
They will be limited to just one train per hour in each direction between London St Pancras and each of Nottingham, Sheffield and Corby, as well as a handful of regional routes such as between Derby and Matlock.
Grand Central
The operator runs services from London King’s Cross.
Friday – Usual timetable.
Saturday – Grand Central is not involved in the industrial dispute with the RMT but there will be minor alterations to its services.
Great Northern
The operator runs various services in north London. These include services between Moorgate/King’s Cross and Crews Hill, Enfield/Potters Bar.
Friday – No trains.
Saturday – A limited service will run and only between 7am and 7pm. There will be no trains between Ely and King’s Lynn.
Greater Anglia
The operator’s services stop at various north London stations including Tottenham Hale and Seven Sisters.
Friday – A reduced service will run and only between London Liverpool Street and each of Cambridge, Norwich, Southend and Stansted Airport.
Saturday – Trains will run between 7am and 11pm.
Some routes will have a reduced frequency, but most will have a normal or near normal service.
London North Eastern Railway (LNER)
Friday and Saturday – A limited timetable will operate and only between London King’s Cross and both Edinburgh and Leeds.
London Northwestern Railway
The operator runs services from London Euston.
Friday – No trains.
Saturday – A limited service will run and only between 7am and 7pm.
The only open routes will be between Birmingham New Street and each of London Euston, Birmingham International and Liverpool Lime Street.
Southern
The operator runs services that stop at Wembley Central and Harrow and Wealdstone.
Friday – No trains
Saturday – A reduced service will operate. No trains will run between Hemel Hempstead and Clapham Junction; London Bridge and Norwood Junction; Southampton Central and Barnham; and Eastbourne and Ashford International.
Stansted Express
The service stops at Tottenham Hale.
Friday – Frequencies will be halved to one train per hour in each direction.
Saturday – Frequencies will be halved to one per hour in each direction, and trains will start later and finish earlier than normal.
Thameslink
Services stop at stations between London St Pancras and Mill Hill Broadway, Enfield.
Friday – No trains
Saturday – Services will be split north and south, with nothing running between London St Pancras and London Blackfriars