UK grinds to halt as biggest rail strike in 30 years strands thousands of commuters
- More than 50,000 members of rail union RMT walked out in a dispute over pay after last-ditch talks to avert the industrial action broke down on Monday
- The strike has hit the plans of workers trying to get to work, while schools warned that thousands of teenagers taking national exams will also be affected
Rush-hour commuters in the UK faced chaos on Tuesday as railway workers began the network’s biggest strike action in more than three decades, forcing people to trek to work on foot, by bike, bus – or simply not bother at all.
The RMT rail union argues the strikes are necessary as wages have failed to keep pace with UK inflation, which has hit a 40-year high and is on course to keep rising.
Last-ditch talks to avert the strike broke down on Monday, meaning more than 50,000 members of rail union RMT will walk out for three days this week.
Train and London Underground stations, normally a sea of people for the morning rush, were deserted or even locked, with just a skeleton service running on many networks across the country.
Passengers were warned not to travel all week, with two more days of strike action scheduled for Thursday and Saturday wreaking havoc to schedules.
In London, cab firms reported a surge in demand, while main roads were packed with buses and cars, and cyclists weaving in between.