I begin this sombre Monday morning with news that Arriva Trains Wales are striking. They’d threatened to strike during the rugby but had been criticised to the point of calling it off. The two-day strike was announced yesterday and officially began this morning. There will be disruption to the services until Tuesday, with no extra services put on.
Drivers argue that despite the offer of a 12% pay rise over two years, it’s not enough, and that they are paid less than their English counter-parts. To read the BBC report, which also has a video, click here.
On Friday there was a fire at Manchester Piccadilly station causing rush-hour delays:
Gates and railings may be installed at Harrow and Wealdstone station to prevent people committing suicide there. There have been 10 suicides there since 2007. The Samaritans back the move to have the railings installed at the grade II listed building. Full report here.
Finally, train driver Richard Niven, who works for CrossCountry trains will be ‘swapping his driver’s seat’ for a motorbike and riding 20,000 miles for nine weeks beginning in Ushuaia, Argentina and ending in New York, passing through Alaska. I really don’t blame him. He’s doing the trip in aid of wildlife charity David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation.