More rail strike misery

All First North Western services are suspended

Rail travellers across the north of England are in the grip of yet more industrial action.

Almost 700 drivers with First North Western launched a 24-hour strike at 0001 BST on 2 April, bringing chaos to commuters throughout north-west England.

At the same time almost all services on the Tyne & Wear Metro, including the £100m extension to Sunderland which opened on 31 March, are at a standstill because of a one-day stoppage.

First North Western drivers are in dispute over disciplinary procedures, and Metro drivers are striking over pay. All are members of union Aslef.

The Queen may not open the Metro extension

First North Western, the North West's biggest train operator, has suspended all services because of the action and is providing replacement buses.

Nexus, which operates the Tyne & Wear Metro, says it is operating a limited service in the Newcastle area during the day-long strike.

A spokesman for First North Western said the dispute arose after it dismissed a train driver who went through two consecutive red lights.

But the union says the company's disciplinary procedures are too harsh and wants new rules brought in to re-train drivers rather than have them immediately dismissed or downgraded.

Another two 24-hour strikes are planned for 5 and 8 April.

First North Western Managing Director, Dave Kaye, said: "Our passengers have a right to demand safety on our railways and we are not prepared to compromise on that basic right."

Further strikes

Meanwhile if Nexus bosses have not settled their dispute by 5 April the Queen mayl pull out of plans to officially open the Sunderland extension on 7 May.

Union leaders have called for five further strikes, including one on 7 May.

A Nexus spokesman told BBC News Online: "Buckingham Palace have told us the Queen will not get involved in a strike situation.

"Having exhausted the negotiating process Nexus will now be seeking the assistance of the independent arbitration service Acas to help resolve this dispute.

"A strike is not beneficial to our passengers or indeed our staff and is the last thing we want especially with the opening of the Metro extension to Sunderland."