Weekend of strikes hits National Rail

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The walkouts, by up to 12,000 RMT union maintenance workers, threaten all services including London commuter routes and long-distance travellers.

But a spokesman for Network Rail said the strike was not expected to result in any train cancellations or delays. He pointed out that during the two previous weekend walkouts train performance had been "better than average."

The spokesman said contingency plans were ready and these would involve fully trained substitute staff.

RMT leaders ordered the strikes for 15 August and the following Saturday, Sunday and Monday in a long-running dispute over conditions.

There have been two previous 48-hour strikes but both were on weekends and had little or no effect on train services.

Now the union has escalated the action to include weekdays, meaning commuter services could be delayed or cancelled. Network Rail said changes demanded by the union would cost the company - and commuters and taxpayers - £100 million while offering "nothing in return".

The RMT is calling for "harmonisation", with a single set of terms and conditions for maintenance staff, many of whom transferred into Network Rail from the private sector.