Fears possible rail strike could see hospitality bookings cancelled

A national rail strike could see hotels face cancellations and leave staff and customers unable to travel home at night, hospitality trade bodies have warned.

Members of the RMT Union across Network Rail and 15 train operating companies voted in favour of strike action yesterday (24 May) in a dispute over pay, jobs and staff safety.

The RMT said its leaders would be meeting to discuss a timetable of industrial action from mid-June. It is possible trains could only run for part of the day, with services stopping at 7pm, and only on main lines, the BBC reports.

UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls warned a national rail strike could disrupt tourism and see hotel bookings cancelled.

She said it could “jeopardise hospitality businesses working hard to rebuild following the pandemic”.

Nicholls added: “A lack of commuter trains bringing people into towns and cities will further set back the recovery of our high streets and will also deter people from going out in the evening – especially women and vulnerable people who may rely on trains to get them home and feel safe late at night.

“As we come into the crucial summer months, disruption on the rail network will discourage both UK and international tourism – we are already hearing reports from Scotland of cancelled hotel bookings due to the dispute between Aslef and Scotrail there.”

Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), said the announcement had sent “shockwaves” through the industry over concerns for staff, public safety and the potential impact on trade.

He added: “Rail services across the UK finishing at 7pm will leave many  stranded at night, compromising safety with limited transport services available.

“The transport infrastructure within the night time economy is vitally important as we move in to peak summer season for festival and events, and a critical time for tourism, so reliant by the sector for recovery.”

The RMT said it will seek urgent talks with Network Rail and the operating companies to try and reach a settlement ahead of strike action.

Network Rail said the union had “jumped the gun” and urged RMT to “talk, not walk” to find an agreement.

RMT balloted over 40,000 members at Network Rail and the train operating companies. These included Chiltern Railways, Cross Country Trains, Greater Anglia, LNER, East Midlands Railway, c2c, Great Western Railway, Northern Trains, South Eastern, South Western Railway Transpennine Express, Avanti West Coast, West Midlands Trains.

Govia Thameslink (including Gatwick Express) members voted for action short of strike.