Disruption as fresh wave of train strikes begins

Rail services will grind to a halt in parts of the country today as a fresh wave of strikes begin.

Members of the train drivers' union Aslef will walk out on Wednesday and again on 3 June, the day of the FA Cup Final, while members of the RMT will strike on Friday.

Aslef said there was "no waning in enthusiasm" in the long-running dispute over pay and conditions.

The government said the strikes were co-ordinated to disrupt major events.

Wednesday's strikes will affect 15 train companies, with services due to start later and finish much earlier than usual - typically between 07:30am and 06:30.

The Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which represents train companies, said services are likely to be severely reduced, with variations across the network and no services at all in some areas.

Mick Whelan, general secretary of Aslef, said train drivers were "determined to get a resolution and remain in this for the long haul".

Drivers will walk out again on Saturday, affecting the first ever all-Manchester FA Cup final at Wembley as well as the Epsom Derby.

"It is time for the government to step back from interference which is preventing a deal - drivers, in line with other workers, deserve a pay rise after four years without one and inflation running over the last 12 months north of 10%," said Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan.

A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said: "Not content with impacting the hundreds of thousands of people who have looked forward to these events all year round, unions are also targeting their own members' pockets by forcing them to miss out on pay every time they strike.

"The government has facilitated a fair and reasonable pay offer, now union leaders must do the right thing and put this to their members."