Everything you need to know about the fresh set of rail strikes across the Midlands
Rail passengers face fresh travel disruption over the next few days because of strikes by train drivers and other workers in long-running disputes over pay.
Members of Aslef and the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) at train operators will walk out in long-running disputes on Friday and Saturday respectively.
Many of our regions football fans are heading down to Wembley for the National League play-off final. These strikes could affect the way you travel down.
Eurovision plans may also be affected for those who organised to travel down via public transport.
But National Express have said they're putting on an extra 33 coach services from Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester for those heading to Liverpool for the contest.
Passengers are being urged to check before they travel on both days.
Here is a breakdown of each operator’s plan for strike days:
Avanti West Coast
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
Friday: No trains.
Saturday: No trains will run north of Banbury.
CrossCountry
Friday: No trains.
Saturday: No direct services will run to or from Birmingham New Street and Nottingham.
Services that do run will only operate between 7am and 7pm.
East Midlands Railway
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 Nottingham as well as a handful of regional routes such as between Derby and Matlock.
London Northwestern Railway
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.
Transport for Wales
Friday: Usual timetable.
Saturday: Transport for Wales is not involved in the industrial dispute with the RMT but some of its services will be disrupted.
Several stations such as Birmingham International, Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Piccadilly will only be open for services between 7am and 7pm.
West Midlands Railway
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 Wolverhampton, Rugeley Trent Valley and Lichfield Trent Valley; between Kidderminster and Whitlocks End/Dorridge; and between Stourbridge Junction and Stourbridge Town.
Anthony Smith, chief executive of watchdog Transport Focus, said: “For those planning to head to Liverpool, strikes could really prove a party-pooper.
“Many people will be infrequent or first-time train users so may not have realised how wide the disruption will be.
“Our message to all those travelling, for Eurovision or other reasons, is check before you go, and keep checking. Also, be aware trains that are running may be more crowded than you expect.”
What have Aslef and RMT been saying?
Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said: “We do not want to go on strike – we do not want to inconvenience passengers, we have families and friends who use the railway too, and we believe in investing in rail for the future of this country.
“But the blame for this action lies, fairly and squarely, at the feet of the employers who have forced our hand over this by their intransigence.
“It is now up to them to come up with a more sensible, and realistic, offer and we ask the Government not to hinder this process.
“We have been negotiating with employers – the train operating companies – for many months on pay. On several companies we have managed to come to an agreement, and on several others, multi-year deals have been honoured.
“Unfortunately a number of companies still have their hands tied by the Department for Transport and aren’t able to negotiate a reasonable deal with Aslef members.
“We are still prepared to negotiate in good faith but, unfortunately, as we have been unable to come to an agreement, we have had to consider industrial action.”
Aslef said a 4% pay offer was “risible and obviously unacceptable”.
Steve Montgomery, who chairs the Rail Delivery Group, said: “The upcoming rail strikes called by the Aslef and RMT leadership will not only affect our passengers’ daily commute but will also impact those travelling from outside Liverpool and London to come to Eurovision and the FA Cup final, causing disappointment and frustration for those who have planned to attend.
“It will also further burden our people who have already lost thousands of pounds at a time of financial strain.
“We understand the impact of these strikes on individuals and businesses alike, and we can only apologise for this unnecessary and damaging disruption.
“While we are doing all we can to keep trains running, unfortunately there will be reduced train services across the network between Friday May 12 and Saturday June 3, so our advice is to check before you travel.
"Passengers with Advance tickets can be refunded fee-free if the train that the ticket is booked for is cancelled, delayed or rescheduled.”
The Rail Delivery Group said that after many weeks of negotiations with the Aslef leadership it had made a “revised and fair offer” including a pay rise of 8% over two years.
“It would have introduced overdue, common-sense improvements already in place in parts of the network, which would will see more trains running on time for passengers.
“Sadly, this has been rejected,” said a spokesperson.