Rail passengers have been suffering fresh travel chaos today (Wednesday, July 27) as thousands of workers walked out on strike, crippling services across the country.

Disputes in the bitter row over jobs, pay, pensions and conditions have worsened, with more strikes due in the coming days, and a wave of industrial action planned next month on the railways and London Underground.

Only around one in five trains will run on Wednesday, on around half the network, with some areas having no trains all day.

Picket lines were being mounted outside railway stations as members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union at Network Rail and 14 train operators went on strike.

Daily Echo: RMT members on the picket line outside Basingstoke train station (PA)RMT members on the picket line outside Basingstoke train station (PA)

Passengers were urged to only travel by train if they must, and, if it is necessary, allow extra time and check when their last train will depart.

Trains will also be disrupted on Thursday morning with a later start to services as employees return to duties.

The Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) has also announced a strike by its members at Avanti West Coast on Wednesday, while members of the drivers’ union Aslef at seven companies will strike on Saturday.

Rail strike dates in August

After the strikes at the end of July, there are a couple of dates in August where further strikes are planned.

Members of the RMT and TSSA will launch coordinated strikes on Thursday, August 18 and Saturday, August 20, while the RMT announced a strike on London Underground on Friday, August 19.

Strike action will be taken in Avanti West Coast, c2c, East Midlands Railway, CrossCountry, Great Western Railway, LNER, and Southeastern.

Action short of strike will be taken in West Midlands Trains, Northern, Greater Anglia, TransPennine Express and Southeastern.