Are Greater Anglia and c2c trains affected by strikes today?

Members of the Aslef union at Greater Anglia and c2c are staging a 24-hour walk-out following similar action at other train operators earlier this week.

Union members at all the English train operators involved in the dispute are also banning overtime until early next week, which is leading to cancellations.

Passengers are being advised to check before they travel, with some areas having no trains and others only limited services and starting later and finishing earlier than usual.

Asflef members on a picket line at Waterloo station (Image: PA)

Are trains running in Essex today?

Greater Anglia said a “very limited” service will operate today on only five of its main routes and, except the Stansted Express service, for a limited period.

Apart from the Stansted Express, these services will start much later and will finish earlier than normal.

“We expect these services to be very busy and passengers are advised to plan ahead or consider travelling on alternative dates,” the rail operator said.

Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia’s managing director, said: “Unfortunately on February 2, no services will run at all on most Greater Anglia routes, with just an hourly service during normal operating hours on the Stansted Airport to London route and an hourly service for limited hours on the Norwich to London, Colchester to London and Southend Victoria to London routes, plus a few services between Cambridge and London Liverpool Street.

“On the days affected by action short of a strike, the vast majority of services will be running as normal, but there will be some alterations and cancellations across our network.

“An extensive engineering works programme will also take place on Saturday, February 3 and Sunday, February 4. This work is extremely important to help maintain the safe and reliable running of the railway and make it fit for the future. A rail replacement service will run while the work takes place.

“We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by these service alterations and advise customers to plan ahead and check before they travel.”

Greater Anglia and c2c are affected by the strike today (Image: PA)

c2c will not run any services today.

Managing director Rob Mullen said: “I’m really disappointed that an agreement with Aslef hasn’t been reached. The impact of this ongoing action is significant for our customers and colleagues.

“I’m hopeful that further meetings with the unions are productive and see progress made toward concluding this challenging time for the railway.”

Why are train drivers in Essex on strike today?

The dispute remains unresolved after more than 18 months, with Aslef saying it has not met the transport secretary, Mark Harper, for over a year or the rail employers since last April.

General secretary Mick Whelan said his members have not had a pay rise for almost five years, accusing the government of “giving up” trying to resolve the dispute.

None of the companies affected by the current wave of strikes are using the new law aimed at ensuring a minimum level of services during industrial action – set at 40 per cent in the rail industry.

Aslef said this proves the regulations are unworkable.

A Rail Delivery Group spokesman said: “Train companies are working through plans to manage the unnecessary disruption to our passengers caused by this damaging industrial action – minimum service levels are one potential tool for that but they are not a silver bullet.

“In the meantime, we remain committed to resolving this dispute and our offer, which would take average driver salaries to £65,000 for a four-day week without overtime, remains on the table.”

The transport department has accused Aslef’s leadership of refusing to allow its members to vote on a pay offer made last year.

A spokesman said: “The transport secretary and rail minister have already facilitated talks that led to this fair and reasonable offer.

“With passenger revenues not having recovered since the pandemic, the taxpayer has had to prop up the railways with £12billion in the last year alone.

“These strikes will not change the need for urgent workplace reforms that Aslef continue to block.”

Aslef counters that drivers have been re-balloted a number of times since the dispute started and have always backed continuing with industrial action.

Mr Whelan added: “The members have voted to keep striking for a fair pay deal. What is it that Mr Harper does not understand?”