Greater Anglia has cancelled all services at Enfield Lock, Brimsdown, Ponders End and Meridian Water on three days next week, reports James Cracknell

A Greater Anglia train (credit Greater Anglia) — *No Greater Anglia trains will be stopping in Enfield during the three-day strike (credit Greater Anglia)*

Rail passengers in Enfield are being advised to “only travel if absolutely necessary” during three days of staff strikes next week – with four stations in the borough set to have no services at all.

The RMT union is holding three 24-hour strikes on Tuesday 21st, Thursday 23rd and Saturday 25th June, with members of the train drivers’ union Aslef also striking on the Thursday. The industrial action also includes Network Rail signallers who are members of the RMT union.

Rail services will be affected throughout the whole week, with knock-on impacts expected on the days when the strikes are not taking place. In addition, Aslef has now called another 24-hour strike among Greater Anglia train drivers for Saturday 2nd July.

While trains will still be running along the Hertford Loop line operated by Great Northern next week, the four Enfield stations on the Lea Valley line operated by Greater Anglia – Enfield Lock, Brimsdown, Ponders End and Meridian Water – will have no rail services stopping at them on the three strike days and significantly reduced services on the other days.

Because the industrial action is affecting the whole country, rail replacement buses will not be available.

The London Overground routes through Enfield will also be severely impacted, according to Transport for London (TfL), with half of services expected to run on the three strike days and significant delays on other days.

On the Piccadilly Line, TfL states that there will be “very little service” on Tuesday 21^st, and delays on all other days.

Govia Thameslink Railway, the parent company of Great Northern, has said there will be a “skeleton service” of around 25% of normal on the three strike days, with two trains per hour running between King’s Cross and Stevenage, calling at all stations on the Hertford Loop route in Enfield. A Sunday-style service (about 60% of weekdays) will operate on 22^nd and 24^th June.

Angie Doll, chief operating officer at Govia, said: “We’re sorry to say that people should only travel by rail between 21st and 26th June if absolutely necessary, due to strike action by RMT members at Network Rail and other train companies. Unfortunately, there will be very few train services and some routes will be closed altogether on strike days.

“Services will start much later than normal and finish early. All this may lead to very busy trains and possible delays. Passengers should plan ahead and think about travelling at another time.

“Strikes are terrible for passengers, especially as the country is starting to recover from the pandemic and return to rail. We urge the RMT to work with Network Rail and train operators to find a swift solution.”

Network Rail route director Mark Killick said: “We’re so sorry for the disruption next week and we know how difficult this will be for our customers so soon after the pandemic. We’ve trained 250 staff so we can keep some of the busiest lines open, focusing our resources on the routes that can keep the largest numbers of customers and freight moving and serving vital locations such as hospitals. That said, we will not compromise on safety and the strike does mean that large parts of the network will be closed.

“We are continuing to work with unions to find a solution and will keep doing so. But we also have to be honest and accept that we have to change the way we work, to reflect the changes in society and travel patterns post pandemic. Again, I’d like to apologise to everyone who find their journeys disrupted next week and urge our customers to check before they travel.”

Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia managing director, said: “We are very sorry for the inconvenience caused to customers by this industrial action.

“Work is continuing to try to resolve the dispute as soon as possible.”

For more information about Greater Anglia’s refund policy for services cancelled by the strike:
Visit greateranglia.co.uk/contact-us/faqs/refunds

For more information about Great Northern’s rail services during the strike:
Visit greatnorthernrail.com

For more information about Transport for London’s planned services next week:
Visit tfl.gov.uk/campaign/tube-strike?intcmp=35779

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