Commuter misery as union threatens more strikes

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Passengers on Britain's busiest commuter network face fresh industrial action next week on top of two 48-hour rail strikes, the second of which is due to end at midnight tonight.

Leaders of the RMT union said they could order stoppages lasting 72 hours or longer unless managers at South West Trains met their demands for a bigger pay increase and new disciplinary procedures.

One in four ScotRail services was cut under an emergency timetable introduced yesterday because of a dispute over drivers' pay. And rail users in the north-east of England are likely to face disruption next week by conductors working for Arriva Trains Northern.

As commuters who rely on South West Trains to reach London took cars or packed the one in 10 trains still operating, a rail users' protest group called for a one-day national train boycott on 1 March to embarrass the Government into improving the network.

Stephen Byers, the Transport Secretary, arrived back from his holiday in India yesterday. He said there was "never a good time" for a cabinet minister to take a holiday but hoped people recognised those with public roles had a right to a private life.

Senior sources in the rail industry believe Andrew Smith, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, is being lined up to take over from Mr Byers. Downing Street condemned the strikes and said Mr Byers had "absolutely" the full confidence of the Prime Minister.

The Conservatives accused the Government of being at "sixes and sevens" over rail, while business groups warned that the SWT strikes were costing the London economy more than £10m a day.