Flight delays and cancellations are due to wreak havoc again today, Wednesday July 27, as yet another strike takes place for the second time in consecutive months.
Disruptions are expected to occur all across the country with members of the Rail Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) and 14 railway companies expected to be involved, Including:
- Avanti West Coast
- Chiltern Railways
- East Midlands Railways
- Great Western Railway
- Northern Trains
- Southern
- Southeastern
- Transport for London (TFL)
This protest follows last month's strike, the biggest in 30 years.
It mirrors a pattern of transport chaos across the country after queues at Dover saw waits of up to 11 hours for holiday makers last week.
Why is there so much disruption? We take a look at why the strikes are taking place, the delays at Dover and airport mayhem.
Why are the train strikes happening again?
The railways will once again see serious disruption as 40,000 Network Rail workers (members of the RMT ) plan to strike over pay, job security and working conditions.
The latest talks to try and avoid the strike failed again last week.
Leaders of the union rejected a proposal of a 4% pay rise for the remainder of this year, with a potential further 4% increase next year if changes in working conditions were accepted.
RMT general secretary, Mick Lynch has said: “Network Rail have not made any improvement on their previous pay offer and the train companies have not offered us anything new."
Lynch continued: “The government need to stop their interference in this dispute so the rail employers can come to a negotiated settlement with us.”
This comes as both Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak both confirmed that ending rail strikes was an important policy in their manifesto, as they battle to become the next Tory leader and Prime Minister.
What is happening at Dover and why are the queues so long?
Queues from the weekend and earlier in the week at Dover have now died down, but some holidaymakers faced delays of up to 11 hours in an attempt to cross the channel.
With it being the summer holidays and weekend trips to ferry rides in increased demand, more disruption has been caused.
John Keefe, director of public affairs for Eurotunnel, said that the Kent gridlock on Friday July 22 had been caused by an accident on the M20.
Flight disruption
As well as trouble on the tracks and problems at the ports, there has been further disruption at UK airports as the Britain's transport woes continue.
Airlines and airports have struggled to cope with the increase in travellers since covid restrictions eased.
With many companies short-staffed flights have been unable to take-off and many have been delayed or even cancelled.
Britain's competition and aviation regulators have warned airlines of further disruptions and cancellations throughout the summer, with the school holidays only adding to the pressure.
In an joint open letter to the airlines, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said:
"We are concerned that consumers could experience significant harm unless airlines meet their obligations and minimise flight disruptions throughout the summer and beyond."
