The Rail Delivery Group is warning that train services in England are set to be seriously disrupted from the end of this month, when the drivers’ union ASLEF stages industrial action in the continuing dispute over pay. Two 24-hour strikes have been called for 30 September and 4 October, and the union will also ban overtime on 29 September and from 2 to 6 October.

The walkouts will affect nearly all English operators, and also disrupt cross-border train services in Wales and Scotland. Domestic services in those countries are expected to run as usual.

The RDG said it was ’likely that evening services on some lines will be affected on the days before each strike. Morning services on those lines may also be disrupted on 1 and 5 October because much of the rolling stock will not be in the right depots’.

ASLEF has rejected an offer which would have given drivers an 8 per cent rise over two years.

The RDG added: ‘We want to resolve this dispute and are acutely aware of the damaging impact it's having on our passengers, our people and the long-term sustainability of the industry itself. We apologise to our customers for the unnecessary disruption to their journeys caused by the ASLEF leadership.

‘The offer to ASLEF, which would take average driver salaries from £60,000 to £65,000 for a four-day week, remains on the table, and we are always open to constructive dialogue. However, at a time when industry is losing £10 million a day post-Covid, its leadership must recognise the need to make changes to how the industry is run, to both fund any rise and crucially, so we can give our passengers more reliable train services, particularly on Sundays.’