Railway strike hits New Year's Eve trains in Britain

BIRMINGHAM, England

Passengers traveling with Avanti West Coast on New Year's Eve are facing significant delays due to a strike by train managers affiliated with the National Union of Rail, Maritime, and Transport Workers (RMT) over working conditions and pay increases.

The RMT said sustained strike action is "the only way to focus management's minds on reaching a negotiated settlement.”

During the two-day strike on Tuesday and Thursday, only one train per hour will run between major destinations such as London Euston and Birmingham, Manchester, and Preston, with limited service to Glasgow.

Several routes, including North Wales and Blackpool, have no Avanti services at all.

Trains will operate between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., with the final departures from London Euston scheduled for early in the evening. Crowded trains and limited capacity are expected throughout the day.

This strike is part of a longer campaign of industrial action by the RMT, including another planned strike on January 2 and weekly walkouts every Sunday from January 12 to May 25, 2025.

The dispute centers around working conditions and pay, with over 80% of union members rejecting Avanti’s latest offer.

Avanti West Coast, which accounts for approximately 9.2% of passenger journeys in the UK rail network—translating to around 113 million trips annually—has urged customers to travel on alternative days or request refunds for canceled trips.

The operator expressed disappointment with the strike and remains open to negotiations with the union to resolve the issue.

Passengers are advised to check their travel plans and explore alternatives to avoid disruptions today. For more details about Avanti’s strike timetables and travel options, visit their official website.