While the support for rail strikes has dwindled, those looking forward to travelling to the Eurovision and the FA Cup Final will need to find alternative transportation.
The RMT has joined the rail drivers’ union in announcing another set of strike dates, which will take place on May 12, May 13, May 31, and June 3.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper has accused the RMT transport union of “cynically targeting the Eurovision song contest” by calling strikes on the day of the final.
Eurovision fans and football fans have hit out at the timing of the rail strikes, while some insiders at Eurovision have said the disruption could embarrass the UK in front of visiting nations.
The ongoing dispute has caused misery for passengers for nearly a year, and now there are more threats of rail strikes beyond the summer.
The rail strikes are not only affecting those going to work, but it’s also affecting the UK tourism industry. With the tourism industry still in recovery, the last thing hotels, holiday parks, and tourism outlets need is more rail strikes.
Those without cars are being forced to either find other travel arrangements or cancel their days out at the seaside or holidays. With two of the planned strikes taking place on a Friday and Saturday, that could have a serious impact on those going on a caravan holiday.
Popular caravan parks in places that include Devon, Skegness, Blackpool, Boston, and Blackpool have holidays available that start on a Friday, Saturday, and Monday. That could mean people cancelling their caravan holidays on Friday, May 12, and Saturday, June 3.
Some caravan owners who rent out their caravans experienced cancellations in previous months due to rail strikes. A lot of those rely on revenue from bookings to pay for their site fees.
Who is striking and when?
Train drivers from 15 rail operators who are members of the union, Aslef, will strike on:
Friday, May 12
Wednesday, May 31
Saturday, June 3
The rail companies affected will be:
Avanti West Coast
Chiltern Railways
CrossCountry
East Midlands Railway
Great Western Railway
Greater Anglia
GTR
Great Northern Thameslink
London North Eastern Railway
Northern Trains
Southeastern
Southern/Gatwick Express
SWR depot drivers
SWR Island Line
TransPenine Express
West Midlands Trains
Rail workers from 14 operators have also planned industrial action for:
Saturday, May 13
The rail companies affected will be:
Chiltern Railways
Cross Country Trains
Greater Anglia;
LNER
East Midlands Railway
c2c
Great Western Railway
Northern Trains
South Eastern
South Western Railway
Transpennine Express
Avanti West Coast
West Midlands Trains
and GTR (inc Gatwick Express)
Unless a comprise is made then more strikes could be announced.
