A 24-hour strike is crippling some of Britain’s busiest rail routes Tuesday, affecting more than 400,000 passengers.Unions Aslef and the RMT have ordered stoppages mainly from Waterloo station in a row over union power.

This comes after managers were drafted in to drive trains during previous industrial action.

South West Trains has advised passengers not to travel unless “absolutely necessary” as only one in 10 services will run.

It normally operates 1,700 services a day across the South East.

The Heathrow Express, however is running a full schedule. Despite train drivers going on a 24-hour strike in a separate dispute.

Brian Raven managing director Heathrow Express says “We are confident that we will continue to run to a normal service today and we will still provide the best choice for air passengers travelling to and from Heathrow Airport.”

Two more strikes are planned for September 8 and 11. A Heathrow Express spokesman Andrew McConnell also added:

“We have had numerous discussions over the last eight months, progressing towards a settlement with ASLEF.  We are disappointed that they have felt the need to take this industrial action. However, we are continuing to work with them to reach a settlement.”

“I would like to thank our staff who have enabled us to continue providing our full service to our customers”.
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