Passengers across the UK are being warned to expect severe travel disruption as staff at CrossCountry trains begin a series of strikes over key December weekends.
Strike Dates and Service Impact
Members of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) will walk out on Saturday, December 6, 13, 20, and 27. The industrial action will drastically reduce services and force the early finish of trains that do run.
On the first strike day, December 6, CrossCountry confirmed it will only operate a limited service. A significantly reduced timetable will run from Birmingham New Street Station to Manchester, Reading, Bristol, and Derby. A very limited service will operate between Derby, Leeds, and Edinburgh.
Routes with No Service
The operator has confirmed there will be no CrossCountry services at all on several key routes. These include:
- Birmingham to Stansted Airport via Leicester, Peterborough, and Cambridge
- Services between Derby and Nottingham
- Trains between Cheltenham Spa and Cardiff
- Routes connecting Bristol, Plymouth, and Penzance
- Services between Bournemouth and Reading
- Trains between Newton Abbot and Paignton
- Connections between Edinburgh and Glasgow, and Edinburgh and Aberdeen
Causes and Company Response
The RMT states the strike is a result of CrossCountry's failure to resolve long-running disputes concerning pay, staffing levels, and previously agreed commitments.
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said: "CrossCountry has not dealt with the core issues in this dispute. Our members are still facing unresolved staffing shortages, unfair pay outcomes, and broken commitments."
In response, Shiona Rolfe, CrossCountry's managing director, expressed disappointment at the action. "We've worked hard to make a fair and reasonable offer," she stated, adding that the company's priority is minimising disruption for customers during the busy Christmas period.
Passengers are strongly advised to check their entire journey before travelling using National Rail Enquiries or the CrossCountry website and app.
