TRAIN drivers continued their rolling programme of strikes at operators across England today, with pickets set to be in action again tomorrow.

Members of train drivers’ union Aslef are striking at different operating companies on different days, making rail connections almost impossible and throwing timetables into chaos.

The union says drivers have not had a pay increase for five years.

They are operating an overtime ban until Tuesday, February 6.

The latest strikes began on January 30 when drivers walked out at Southeastern, GTR Southern/Gatwick Express, GTR Great Northern Thameslink, SWR Island Line, South Western Railway Depot and South Western Railway mainline.

Greater Anglia, C2C and LNER trains were at a standstill today.

Drivers will be out tomorrow at West Midlands Trains, Avanti West Coast and East Midlands Railway, while Great Western Railway, CrossCountry and Chiltern will be hit on Monday.

Scotland and Wales train operations are unaffected. Employers there are beyond the control of the Westminster government and have reached an agreement with Aslef on pay.

In England, Aslef has rejected employers’ proposals which attacked longstanding working arrangements.

Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said the union had had no contact from the government for a year.

He said: “There’s no excuse. The government and train operating companies must come to the table with a realistic offer so we can end this dispute and work together to ensure the future of our railways.”

Under the terms of the government’s rail franchising system rail operators receive financial compensation, funded by taxpayers, for any losses caused by industrial action.