Train strikes – live: Christmas Eve travel disruption as drivers told ‘avoid roads until 7pm’

UK rail workers are slated to strike again tomorrow, on Christmas Eve

Passengers expected to face ‘two hour queues’ at Gatwick amid strikes, says airport boss

Britons have been warned of train disruption ahead of a strike tomorrow as millions embark on Christmas getaway journeys, with motorists told to avoid the roads until 7pm.

The RAC, which expects 7.9 million leisure journeys to be made across the UK on Friday and Christmas Eve combined, published the alert for a stretch of the M25.

The 23rd of December is typically the busiest day for rail travellers ahead of the Christmas holiday, with 27 December the busiest for post-Christmas travel.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union are set to stage another round of industrial action tomorrow in an ongoing row over pay and conditions,

Earlier, a separate union warned that strikes by Border Force staff could last for up to six months as they staged the first of several days of action.

Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union, urged ministers to “get around the negotiating table” and make a better pay offer.

“Our strike mandate lasts right up until May,” he told the BBC earlier this morning. “We will be supporting this action up to May and we would re-ballot again if we have to.”

Key points

• Union chief warns strikes could last 6 months
• Severe traffic warning issued
• Drivers warned of ‘traffic nightmare’ during Christmas journeys
• Royal Mail staff stage walkout today
• Flights to face delay due to Border Force strike
• Ambulance staff to walk out again next month

[22 December 2022 19:25 · Jane Dalton]

Gatwick warns of hold-ups to passport checks

Gatwick airport has warned passengers and people collecting passengers to bring extra food and water for the delays they are likely to face during the Border Force strikes hitting passport control.

“Check with your airline for the latest information about your flight. You may have the option to rebook on other dates free of charge,” it said.

[22 December 2022 19:10 · Jane Dalton]

Bus engineers call off walkout

Around 150 bus engineers have accepted pay rises of up to 13.1% after they called off strike action.

The Go North East workers, based at depots in Tyneside, Northumberland, County Durham and Wearside, have voted to accept the pay deal following negotiations last week.

Strike action that was due to begin this week was called off.

The Unite union said the vast majority of workers will receive a rise of between 10 and 13.1 per cent, depending on their grade, along with an attendance bonus on top of the increase.