Railway chaos as drivers stay at home and plan Christmas strike

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Aslef bosses this afternoon announced they were asking First Capital Connect drivers to vote on industrial action. A decision is due on 9 December and a walkout could follow a week later.

Commuters on the company's Bedford to Brighton line, via Gatwick airport, already face problems getting home after more than 70 trains were cancelled or altered today because drivers refused to work overtime.

Liberal Democrat Transport spokesman Norman Baker condemned the "farcical" situation and said the company, union and Government were failing in their duty to run services.

On Sunday, First Capital Connect was forced to cancel most services on its other route, Great Northern, between King's Cross, Stevenage, Cambridge and King's Lynn.

Strikes would apply on both lines, which are used by 400,000 passengers a day. Aslef represents most of the firm's 600 drivers but staff in the RMT union would not cross picket lines.

Drivers have been offered an improved pay deal but are furious that it still involves a freeze this year. There would be a rise the following year at one per cent above the Retail Price Index inflation rate or a minimum of three per cent.

Keith Norman, Aslef general secretary, said: "First Group is very profitable and we demand proper recompense for our members who play an essential part in help to make that profit."

Today 50 trains were cancelled and 24 had fewer carriages or called at fewer stations. Trains that did run between Bedford and Brighton this morning, especially those into London, were packed. Bob Crow, the RMT leader, said: "Staff cannot be press-ganged into working overtime on their rest days."