The practice drivers’ union Aslef has introduced a week-long time beyond regulation ban at the beginning of July, which can additional disrupt a lot of Britain’s railway.

Whereas the union has stopped wanting calling contemporary strikes within the long-running pay dispute, the commercial motion by about 12,000 drivers throughout the 16 English practice operators contracted to the Division for Transport is more likely to trigger extra complications for passengers.

The consequences of the time beyond regulation ban, working from Monday 3 July till the tip of Saturday 8 July, will fluctuate for various operators, however because the mass cancellations at TransPennine Categorical have confirmed, many corporations nonetheless depend on rest-day working to run a full service.

Trains will proceed to run usually inside Wales, Scotland and London, the place drivers should not in dispute, however intercity cross-border providers will doubtless be affected.

Ballots for a renewed six-month strike mandate returned overwhelming majorities in favour final week.

Mick Whelan, the overall secretary of Aslef, mentioned: “As soon as once more, we discover ourselves with no various however to take this motion. Now we have frequently come to the negotiating desk in good religion, looking for to resolve this dispute.

“Sadly, it’s clear from the actions of each the practice working firms and the federal government that they are not looking for an finish to the dispute. Their targets seem like to proceed industrial strife and to do down our trade.

“We don’t wish to inconvenience the general public. We simply wish to see our members paid pretty throughout a value of dwelling disaster when inflation is working at above 10%, and to not see our phrases and situations taken away. It’s time for the federal government and the businesses to suppose once more and search for a decision.”

Drivers have been provided a 4% pay rise backdated to April 2022, and one other 4% from April 2023, which Aslef dismissed as “risible” given earlier pay freezes and the speed of inflation.

There have been three days of strike motion by drivers and one other by RMT practice working employees in late Might and early June. The RMT union additionally stays in dispute and will name additional motion.

Ministers and rail trade leaders have mentioned there can be no elevated pay supply and have urged each unions to place the proposals to a full vote of their members.

Aslef final week introduced separate motion at Avanti West Coast and LNER in disputes with the businesses. There can be a 24-hour strike at Avanti on Sunday 2 July and a steady time beyond regulation ban at LNER from the beginning of July.

This Wednesday marks the primary anniversary of the primary RMT strike within the present dispute, with unions in rail and different sectors vowing to proceed motion for pay to maintain up with the price of dwelling.