Train disruption in North London due to Aslef and RMT strike

Members of the Aslef union and the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union of various rail operators are walking out in long-running disputes today (May 12) and tomorrow respectively.

Rail Minister Hugh Merriman has called on the two unions to take the UK government’s offer of “fair and reasonable” pay to their members to prevent further strikes.

But Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan accused the government of “bad faith” in its negotiations with the union, saying he did not believe ministers wanted a solution.

Here’s a breakdown of each operator’s plan for the days of the strike and how rail services in north London will be affected.

Avanti West Coast

The operator serves London Euston.

Friday – no trains

Saturday – There will be fewer trains than usual and only between 7am and 7pm, except for some routes to and from Liverpool, which is hosting the Eurovision Song Contest

Chiltern Railways

The operator serves London Marylebone. Other stations in north London include Wembley Stadium, Harrow-on-the-Hill, Sudbury Hill-Harrow, Sudbury and Harrow Road and Northolt Park.

Friday – no trains

Saturday – Trains will not run north of Bunbury.

Services running will be limited to one train per hour in both directions between London Marylebone and each of Bunbury, Oxford and Aylesbury via Amersham and between 9am and 9pm only.

East Midland Railway

The operator serves London St Pancras.

Friday – no trains.

Saturday – services will be held from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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 few regional routes such as between Derby and Matlock.

Big Central

The operator serves London’s King’s Cross.

Friday is the regular schedule.

Saturday – Grand Central is not involved in the industrial dispute with the RMT, but there will be minor changes to its services.

Great Northern

The operator offers a variety of services in North London. This includes services between Moorgate/King’s Cross and Crews Hill, Enfield/Potters Bar.

Friday – no trains.

Saturday – Limited service will only be available from 7am to 7pm. There will be no trains between Ely and King’s Lynn.

Great England

The operator’s services stop at various stations in north London, including Tottenham Hale and Seven Sisters stations.

Friday – A reduced service will only operate between London Liverpool Street and Cambridge, Norwich, Southend and Stansted Airports.

Saturday – Trains will run from 7am to 11pm.

Some routes will have reduced frequency, but most will have normal or near-normal service.

London North Eastern Railway (LNER)

Friday and Saturday – there will be a limited timetable and only between London King’s Cross and Edinburgh and Leeds.

London North Western Railway

The operator serves London Euston.

Friday – no trains.

Saturday – Limited service will only be available from 7am to 7pm.

The only routes open will be between Birmingham New Street and each of London Euston, Birmingham International and Liverpool Lime Street.

Southern

The operator provides services that stop at Wembley Central and Harrow and Wealdstone.

Friday – no trains

Saturday – reduced mode will work. 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 – Frequency will be halved to one train per hour in each direction.

Saturday – Frequency will be halved to once an hour in each direction, with trains departing later and finishing earlier than usual.

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, nothing between London St Pancras and London Blackfriars