Planned rail strikes to cause Christmas holiday headaches

Hundreds of thousands of rail passengers face delays and cancellations over Christmas because of a series of strikes.

The pre-Christmas getaway, Boxing Day sales and sports fixtures over the festive season could all be hit as unions stage industrial action on the London Underground and around the UK.

Friday is expected to be the busiest travel day as millions finish work and attempt to reach family and friends for the holidays. But from one minute past midnight, CrossCountry train staff belonging to the RMT union have been instructed not to start any shifts until midnight on Saturday.

CrossCountry runs most long-distance services that do not start or end in London. The network is centred on Birmingham New Street, and connects the South and South-west with the Midlands, Yorkshire and North of England. Some services extend into Scotland.

Also on Friday, the first effects of a stoppage by ScotRail staff are expected to take effect. The RMT has called strikes for Saturday 22 December and Christmas Eve, but has instructed sleeper staff not to operate the services that depart from London and Scotland on Friday night as part of an ongoing row after the sacking of a ticket inspector, Scott Lewis, in March. Aslef also confirmed yesterday that Tube drivers will strike on Boxing Day over bank-holiday pay – the third 26 December walkout in a row. Boxing Day football matches in the capital are likely to be cancelled unless the strike is averted.

Last night, East Coast Main Line services were hit with "major" delays due to what operators called "overhead-wire problems". No trains were running between King's Cross and Peterborough.

CrossCountry, which is due to meet with RMT officials today for talks aimed at averting Friday's strike, said it was working on contingency plans that would ensure journeys could be completed if the action goes ahead. It advised passengers not to change their travel plans while talks continued.

The union accuses the train operator of harassing staff who fail to meet sales targets, disciplining train managers who do not work on Sundays, and trying to force out staff injured at work.

The general secretary, Bob Crow, said the RMT remained open to talks. RMT workers at two London signal boxes are also staging a 48-hour stoppage from tomorrow, while cleaners on Tyne and Wear are to hold a three-day strike over pay, starting on Sunday.

Off the rails: Networks affected

CrossCountry

Covers services connecting the South with the Midlands, Yorkshire and North, and extends into Scotland. Services could face delays.

ScotRail

Overnight services run from London to Fort William. Buses may be used but the journey could take 14 hours.

London Underground

Boxing Day strike would cause wide disruption.