Bus drivers plan seven-day strike

Bus drivers in a pay dispute with First Eastern in Norwich plan to go on a week-long strike.

The stoppage will start on Thursday 15 September and is likely to hit services in Norfolk and Suffolk.

Norwich Park and Ride services will also be hit and it is expected to lead to major congestion in the city.

It is also likely to damage trade in the city. In the 2003 Norwich bus strike, traders said they lost 25% of their business.

The dispute is over pay - drivers want a rise of 3% while managers have offered 2.25%.

Talks broke down

About 650 First bus staff voted to take the industrial action out of a total workforce of around 710.

Talks with management on Tuesday failed to resolve the deadlock over pay and the Transport and General Workers' Union said members were prepared to strike every other week for as long as it takes to resolve the problem.

Keith Andrew, managing director of First Eastern, said: "We are doing everything we can to avert this proposed strike action.

"No-one will win if the industrial action goes ahead. Our customers will suffer and our drivers will lose money. I hope we can resolve the situation this week and avoid a strike.

"If the strike does go ahead, it will probably affect all of our bus routes."