Football fans and bargain-hunters faced travel misery as rail strikes continue across country
FOOTIE fans, sales shoppers and families visiting relatives faced travel misery yesterday thanks in part to rail strikes.
A small number of services usually operate the day after the Christmas Day shutdown, but an ongoing walkout by RMT members meant nothing ran at all.
It caused chaos for people heading home after Christmas and football supporters going to games after a six-week Premier League break during the Qatar World Cup.
An estimated 15million cars took to the roads yesterday, causing traffic jams.
There were also huge queues for buses and coaches.
Many vented their fury on social media, including Jamie Flitcroft who posted: “The RMT and other rail unions are having a laugh. Shame our Armed Forces don’t drive trains during strikes. I’m sure they would do a better job.”
More strikes were announced yesterday, with workers at CrossCountry staging a 24-hour walkout today.
Members of the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association are demanding no compulsory redundancies and a big pay rise.
An end to the national rail dispute appears distant, with the RMT accusing ministers of going missing after the latest round of talks.
General secretary Mick Lynch said: “Until the Government gives the rail industry a mandate to come to a negotiated settlement on job security, pay and conditions of work, our industrial campaign will continue.”
Meanwhile, UK Border Force staff who check passports and are striking until the end of the year will be working today for one day only.