Train drivers’ trade union the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF) has called strike action on Saturday 30 September and Wednesday 4 October, and an overtime ban on Friday 29 September and from Monday 2 to Friday 6 October, in pursuit of its claim for a pay rise that keeps pace with rising prices.

c2c will be unable to run any trains on the strike days and is considering what level of service it can run during the overtime ban.

Passengers who planned to travel on any of these dates but whose journey is now disrupted may be able to make use of cross-industry ticket acceptance and temporary removal of certain ticket restrictions. However, ASLEF is taking industrial action on other train operators’ routes as well, so this will be limited.

Passengers who bought an Off-Peak or Anytime ticket and decided not to travel because your service has been cancelled, delayed or rescheduled, you may be entitled to a fee-free refund or change from the retailer you bought your ticket from.

Rob Mullen, c2c Managing Director, made a comment identical to that he made in May, saying that: “I’m really disappointed that an agreement with our Trade Unions hasn’t been reached. The impact of this ongoing action is significant for our customers and colleagues. I’m hopeful that further meetings with the unions are productive and see progress made toward concluding this challenging time for the railway.”

Mick Whelan, ASLEF’s general secretary, said: ‘While we regret having to take this action – we don’t want to lose a day’s pay, or disrupt passengers, as they try to travel by train – the government, and the employers, have forced us into this position. Our members have not, now, had a pay rise for four years – since 2019 – and that’s not right when prices have soared in that time. Train drivers, perfectly reasonably, want to be able to buy now what they could buy four years ago.’