The threatened bank holiday chaos was averted due to a planned national rail strike that has been suspended by the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) and Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) unions. The Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin has welcomed the news, he said:
“I am very pleased that the unions have made a decision to suspend their planned action. Passengers right across the country will welcome this news and the knowledge that the extensive disruption threatening the bank holiday and the return to work on Tuesday has been averted.”
The threatened strike, which would have been the first one in decades, was due to start on Bank Holiday Monday and promised to bring chaos not only to the rail network but the roads as well. Many holiday makers have taken advantage of the good weather to get out and about.
Network Rail will now also be able to move ahead with its planned improvement works over the bank holiday weekend. The works costing in excess of £10 million are an essential part of the £38 billion investment across the network between 2014 and 2019. The Government and Network Rail are keen to deliver on this strategic improvement plan.
