Train passengers are once again being told expect disruption and to only travel “if necessary” as rail strikes begin across the UK today.
Network Rail is warning all those intending on travelling by train that services will be “severely disrupted” on Thursday and Saturday, with half of Britain’s rail lines to close and more than 45,000 workers to walk out.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union at Network Rail (NR), workers from 14 train operators nationwide, Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) union members at seven companies, and Unite members at NR are all striking over an ongoing dispute around pay, jobs, and conditions.
This is then also then expected to have a knock-on effect on Friday and Sunday morning, with many services beginning to run later than usual.
Where services are are operating on strike days, trains will only run between 07:30 and 18:30 on both strike days, but some routes will have no services at all.
A total of 4,300 services are expected to run across the country on Thursday and Saturday, according to Network Rail, which is tthe highest number yet during the series of national RMT union strikes – however, it is still only just over 20% of usual service levels.
❗ Only 20% of services will be running on the 18 and 20 August, with some parts of the country having no rail services at all due to industrial action.
⚠️ Please only travel by train if absolutely necessary:
Rail workers taking action over these next two strike days include staff working in ticket offices, stations, control rooms and engineering, as well as planning, timetabling and other support roles.
The TSSA says its members are seeking guarantees that there will be no compulsory redundancies, a pay rise in line with the cost of living, and no unilateral alterations to job terms and conditions – but Network Rail’s chief executive Andrew Haines described negotiations with unions as “slow” and “painful”.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that there was “an absolute lack of clarity over what it would take for this strike to be called off”.
Mick Lynch – General Secretary at the RMT – said that his union’s members are this time more determined than ever to protect their pensions and secure a decent pay rise, job security, and good working conditions, adding: “Network Rail have not made any improvement on their previous pay offer and the train operating companies have not offered us anything new.
Over 45,000 rail workers are to walk out nationwide on Thursday and Saturday / Credit: Network Rail
“Tube bosses are having secret negotiations with the government about cutting costs by slashing jobs and undermining working conditions and pensions [and] Network Rail is also threatening to impose compulsory redundancies and unsafe 50% cuts to maintenance work if we did not withdraw strike action.
“The train operating companies have put driver-only operations on the table, along with ransacking our members’ terms and conditions.”
Addressing the latest rail strike action, transport secretary Grant Shapps said in a statement: “It’s clear, from their coordinated approach, that the unions are hell-bent on causing as much misery as possible to the very same taxpayers who stumped up £600 per household to ensure not a single rail worker lost their job during the pandemic.
“Sadly, union chiefs have short memories and will be repaying this act of good faith by ruining millions of hard-working people’s summer plans.”
❗ Industrial action is taking place across the railway today.
📲 If travelling is necessary, make sure to check your route is open:
Although it has been confirmed that thousands of specially-trained back-up staff will step in, Network Rail is asking passengers to only travel by train “if they must”.
They should also allow extra time for journeys, and check when their last train will depart.
If customers are not able to travel on Thursday or Saturday, the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) said they can use these tickets either the day before or up to and including 23 August, or alternatively, they will be able to change the ticket or claim a refund.
Featured Image – Network Rail
News
‘Eyesore’ Northern Quarter car park to be redeveloped as ambitious new neighbourhood
Emily Sergeant
An underused multi-storey car park in the heart of the city centre is set to be sold and redeveloped as an ‘ambitious’ new neighbourhood.
The ‘eyesore’ car park situated in Manchester’s iconic Northern Quarter will be transformed into what Manchester City Council are hoping will become a green and sustainable neighbourhood set to complement the ‘unique and independent’ ethos of the area.
It comes after developers CBRE were appointed by the Council last year to market the Church Street site for disposal, ahead of seeking formal planning permission.
The new scheme will deliver more than 300 new homes – including 60 affordable homes – alongside new commercial opportunities and high-quality public spaces.
A before and proposed after of Church Street Car Park / Credit: Manchester City Council
It’s expected that the development will respect the heritage and architecture of the historic city centre neighbourhood and help to enhance the wider area, all while improving a car park site that has long fallen out of favour.
The new neighbourhood will also feature four new public squares and green spaces, along with opportunities for pedestrianising the surrounding streets as part of the public realm.
As mentioned, commercial space is also part of the plans, as the ground floor of the building will offer a mix of smaller, more affordable units to ensure local independent businesses can access the neighbourhood, alongside units for food and beverage outlets.
“For too long, the Church Street car park has been an eyesore and a barrier to the ongoing success of the Northern Quarter,” commented Cllr Bev Craig, who is the Leader of Manchester City Council.
“We want to bring forward a world-class development that has the potential to completely transform this part of the neighbourhood, together with the newest city centre public squares and green spaces.”
The final legal negotiations will conclude over the summer, and it’s expected that a public consultation will then take place to inform a future planning application.
Featured Image – Manchester City Council
News
‘Major milestone’ as planning permission secured to transform Oldham town centre
Emily Sergeant
Planning permission has been granted for six transformational sites in Oldham town centre, with developers calling it a ‘major milestone’.
This approval marks a key step forward in Muse Places and Oldham Council‘s long-term partnership with a shared ambition to deliver a ‘vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable’ town centre that not only reflects Oldham’s heritage but also meets the needs of the people who live there.
Following ‘extensive consultation’ with the local community earlier this year, where hundreds of people took park and shared valuable feedback to help shape the proposals, a total of 1,619 new homes will be delivered as part of the plans, offering a mix of high-quality, energy-efficient apartments designed for families, older people, and young professionals.
The plans also include social and affordable housing provision too in a bid to help more local people find a home that suits their needs and circumstances.
According to the Council and developers, the approved plans will bring underused sites back into ‘productive’ use and support a ‘cleaner, greener’ future for Oldham, opening the door to new opportunities for local businesses and communities alike.
“This decision marks a key milestone in delivering on our promises for Oldham,” commented Cllr Arooj Shah, who is the Leader of Oldham Council.
Planning permission has been secured to transform Oldham town centre / Credit: Muse Places
“Oldham Council and Muse have a shared, ambitious vision to create a quality place that people genuinely want to spend time in.
“I am thrilled that we can continue moving forward with our plans, delivering high-quality homes, including the provision of social and affordable homes to meet local needs. We will also support local businesses and create opportunities for everyone, as part of a clean, green and sustainable future.
“Together, we are creating a place that we can all be proud of.”
Site investigation works are now complete at the Civic Centre, and works at Prince’s Gate will begin shortly, followed by the former Magistrates’ Court later this year.
With planning consent secured and preparatory works underway, construction at Prince’s Gate is expected to begin this autumn.
Emily Sergeant -
18th August 2022 
