Planned industrial action will severely affect train services, leaving London and other areas facing chaos.
London and parts of the UK are bracing for significant travel disruption as train strikes over pay disputes take place this weekend. The industrial action begins on Friday with train drivers from the ASLEF union walking out, followed by a separate strike by RMT members on Saturday.
The strikes are expected to cause severe disruption, with major rail operators either cancelling or limiting services. Southeastern Trains, which connects London to Kent and East Sussex, has announced it will not run any services on Friday, and only 58 out of 180 stations will be operational on Saturday, with Kent services restricted to Sevenoaks and Dartford.
Southern, which operates services from London to the South Coast, will also suspend operations on Friday and offer reduced services on Saturday, with many trains running shorter hours. Transport for London has confirmed that parts of the Elizabeth Line, London Overground, and the District Line will experience disruptions throughout the weekend.
Adding to the travel chaos, the northbound A12 will be closed between junctions 12 and 15 from Friday evening to Monday morning for improvement works. National Highways has apologised for the timing but said the work is necessary to minimise future disruptions.
Air travel is also impacted, with Gatwick Express cancelling its services on Friday and offering limited operations on Saturday. Avanti West Coast, which connects London to the North, has warned passengers of reduced service availability. This includes trains to Liverpool, where the Eurovision Grand Final is taking place, which will run at only two-thirds capacity.
Richard Burge, Chief Executive of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, criticised the strikes, calling them a “lose-lose situation” for the economy. “London’s reputation as a global destination depends on its functioning transport network,” he said, urging unions and employers to resolve the issue quickly.
ASLEF General Secretary Mick Whelan defended the strike, blaming the employers’ refusal to negotiate fair pay deals. He noted that while agreements had been reached with some operators, many are constrained by the Department for Transport.
The Rail Delivery Group, representing train companies, apologised for the disruption but criticised the strikes’ timing, particularly with Eurovision and the FA Cup final approaching. Passengers have been advised to check schedules in advance and apply for fee-free refunds if their tickets are affected.
Further strikes are planned for May 31 and June 3, ensuring ongoing disruption unless negotiations between unions and operators progress.
