“We are delighted for our customers that the threat of a Christmas strike has been lifted by the court.”

Network Rail is assuring passengers that strike action, scheduled to take place in south Wales next week, will have minimal effect on rail services.  The busy south Wales main line will remain open for business and train services will run as normal on the six days.

Passengers struggling to get into work today on National Express services will no doubt be wishing that, rather than face the prospect of two days of strikes by rail unions, they had gone on holiday