Gatwick Airport and various National Rail routes are set to face significant disruptions due to a series of industrial actions announced by the ASLEF Union, affecting numerous train operators between Friday 1st and Saturday 9th December.
Details of the Strike
The strike action will impact a range of train operators on different days:
- Saturday, 2nd December: East Midlands Railway and LNER
- Sunday, 3rd December: Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, Great Northern, London Northwestern Railway, Thameslink, and West Midlands Railway
- Tuesday, 5th December: c2c and Greater Anglia (including Stansted Express)
- Wednesday, 6th December: Gatwick Express, South Western Railway (including Island Line), Southeastern, and Southern
- Thursday, 7th December: CrossCountry, Great Western Railway, and Heathrow Express
- Friday, 8th December: Northern and TransPennine Express
In addition to the strikes, an overtime ban by the ASLEF Union will be in effect from 1st to 9th December, potentially exacerbating the impact on services.
Advice for Passengers
Passengers are advised to visit the National Rail’s dedicated Industrial Action Webpage for detailed information on ticketing and refunds.
The National Rail Enquiries real-time Journey Planner is currently updated for journeys up to and including 8th December. Journeys beyond this date are expected to be updated post-1st December. Passengers are encouraged to check their entire journey on the day of travel for any last-minute changes.
Impact on Travel
The strikes and the overtime ban are anticipated to cause considerable disruptions across various routes, affecting thousands of passengers, including those travelling to and from Gatwick Airport. The industrial action underscores ongoing tensions between the union and rail operators and highlights the broader challenges facing the UK’s rail network.
Preparing for the Disruption
Travellers are advised to plan their journeys well in advance, considering alternative travel arrangements where necessary. The National Rail urges passengers to pay close attention to any warning messages and updates that may affect their planned journeys.
Conclusion
These disruptions, among the most significant in recent times, are expected to impact a broad range of services, underlining the importance of timely information and preparation for all those planning to use National Rail services during the affected period.
