Bus drivers' walkout is back on

A week-long strike by Norwich bus drivers in a pay dispute will start on Thursday after talks broke down.

The strike by First Eastern bus drivers was called off on Tuesday but no reason was given for the decision.

However, talks over pay and conditions between the firm's managers and the Transport and General Workers' Union (TGWU) broke down on Wednesday.

The seven-day walkout is expected to lead to disruption for bus passengers across Norfolk and Suffolk.

First Eastern managing director Keith Andrews said he was disappointed not to have reached an agreement with unions.

'Small differences'

"Despite our agreement on Monday, we felt it was essential to add a factor that safeguarded the employees' pension scheme.

"This was rejected by the trade union which prevented them from endorsing or accepting the rest of the offer," he added.

The company said it would continue talks to resolve what it regarded as "small differences between the two parties".

Bus drivers want a rise of 3% while managers have offered 2.25%.

About 650 out of the 710-strong First Eastern bus workforce voted to take industrial action.

The strike will start at 0500 BST on Thursday. All services will be affected except the two Park and Ride schemes that First operates for Norfolk County Council.