Travel disruption in the Midlands as Avanti West Coast train managers strike

Avanti West Coast strongly advised customers to travel either side of the strikes. Credit: PA

Passengers are being warned of disruption to services as train managers at Avanti West Coast strike over how much they are paid for working on rest days.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union are walking out on New Year's Eve and 2 January.

The strikes are set to affect every Sunday from 12 January to 25 May.

Avanti West Coast strongly advised its customers to travel either side of the strikes, saying that a "significantly reduced" timetable will be in place on the two strike days.

The strikes are set to cause disruption between Birmingham New Street and London Euston, with remaining trains to the capital from other operators likely to be particularly busy as a result.

Avanti said it will run one train an hour between Euston and Birmingham. On 2 January it will run one train an hour between Euston and Wolverhampton.

The operator said it remains open to working with the union to resolve the dispute.

The strikes are set to affect Avanti West Coast services on Sundays through to May. Credit: PA

Chiltern Railways is putting on additional trains on 2 January between London Marylebone and Birmingham.

Kathryn O'Brien, Executive Director of Customer Experience at Avanti West Coast, said: "We're disappointed by the RMT calling strike action on 31 December and 2 January.

"Our customers will face significantly disrupted journeys as a result, and I would like to thank them for their patience and understanding.

"On the two strike days we'll have a significantly reduced service, so customers with tickets for 31 December or 2 January are strongly advised to travel on alternative dates or claim a full fee-free refund.

"We remain opening to working with the RMT to resolve the dispute."

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The RMT said it rejected Avanti's latest offer of £300 or more to managers to cover working on rest days such as Sunday.

Mick Lynch, RMT general secretary, said: "Avanti West Coast created this dispute by ignoring train managers' concerns and presenting offers those members deemed unacceptable.

"The company must come forward with a revised proposal so we can avoid more strike action further into 2025."

The RMT said it "remains open to resolving the issue and urges Avanti to take immediate action."

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