Birmingham train strikes: What you need to know as rail services are cancelled this weekend

A nine-day strike by train drivers is underway causing severe disruption this weekend with many services cancelled.

No trains will stop at Birmingham New Street on February 2 or 3, but the station will remain open. Journeys should be planned in advance as some disruptions, delays and cancellations are expected. The station concourse will be open from 7 am to 7 pm.

In some instances engineering works are also affecting services. Here is what the main train operators operating in and around Birmingham are doing:

West Midlands Railway

West Midlands Railway (WMR) is one of the main train operators in the region, serving destinations such as Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Coventry, Worcester, Hereford, and Shrewsbury.

WMR has confirmed that there will be no trains running at all on Saturday 3 February, due to the strike by its train drivers. You will have to find alternative ways of travelling, such as by bus, car, or bike. As a result, there will be no West Midlands Railway services on that day. Services may also be subject to disruption and cancellations during this period. Latest advice is available here: West Midlands Railway

Avanti West Coast

Avanti West Coast is another train operator in the region, serving destinations such as London, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow, and Edinburgh. Avanti West Coast has also confirmed that there will be no trains running at all on Saturday 3 February, due to the strike by its train drivers.

On the other days, there will be some changes to the train services, and you may have to take a different route or use a different mode of transport. Avanti West Coast will confirm the timetable for Sunday 4 February to Tuesday 6 February later. Latest information available from: Avanti West Coast

Transport for Wales

Transport for Wales (TfW) serves destinations in Wales and the border counties of England, such as Cardiff, Swansea, Shrewsbury, Chester, and Manchester.

TfW has confirmed that its services will not be affected by the ASLEF strike, as it is not involved in the dispute. However, TfW advises passengers to check their journey before travelling, as some of its services may be busier than usual due to the reduced timetable of other operators. TfW also warns that there may be some disruption to its services due to planned improvement works on some routes. Latest information available here: Transport for Wales

Cross Country

Cross Country is a train operator that runs long-distance services across Britain, linking major cities such as Edinburgh, Newcastle, Leeds, Birmingham, Bristol, and Plymouth.

Cross Country has confirmed that there will be no trains running at all on Monday 5 February, due to the strike by its train drivers. You will have to find alternative ways of travelling, such as by bus, car, or plane. On the other days, there will be some changes to the train services, and you may have to take a different route or use a different mode of transport. 

Cross Country will run a reduced service on Friday 2 February and Saturday 3 February, with some trains not calling at certain stations. Cross Country advises passengers to check their journey before travelling, and to book a seat reservation if possible. Latest information available at Cross Country

Why are the train drivers striking? 

The drivers are part of a union called ASLEF, which represents drivers all over the UK. They are unhappy with the pay and conditions offered by the train companies, and they want to negotiate better deals. The strike is a way of putting pressure on the companies to listen to them.

When will the strike end? 

The strike has been scheduled to last for nine days, from Monday 29 January to Tuesday 6 February. During this time, the drivers will not work any overtime, and they will also walk out completely on Saturday 3 February. The strike will affect different train operators on different days, so check the list below to see if your journey is affected:

• Friday 2nd February: c2c; Greater Anglia; LNER; Stansted Express.
• Saturday 3rd February: Avanti West Coast; East Midlands Railway; London Northwestern Railway; West Midlands Railway – this will also make CrossCountry trains between Manchester and Reading via the West Midlands very busy.
• Monday 5th February: Chiltern Railways; CrossCountry; Great Western Railway; Heathrow Express.

What about the engineering work? 

On top of the strike, there will also be some engineering work on some routes this weekend, which will cause more disruption. The engineering work will make some journeys longer, and you might have to take a bus instead of a train for some parts of your journey. The routes affected are:

• Birmingham New Street and Wolverhampton
• Exeter St David’s and Bristol Temple Meads
• Leeds, York and Newcastle

What should I do if I need to travel by train? 

The best advice is to avoid travelling by train this weekend if you can. If you have to travel, make sure you check the latest information before you go, and allow more time for your journey. 

You can use the National Rail Enquiries website or app to plan your journey and see if there are any delays or cancellations. You can also follow the train operators on social media for updates. 

Anyone with a ticket that clashes with the industrial action will be able to use their ticket on a different day or claim a refund,  so keep your tickets and receipts.

Visit National Rail for the latest travel information.