Christmas rail strikes to cause disruption across Salford – “If the train’s not there then what can you do?”

Salford train passengers have expressed their frustration at the next round of rail strikes starting on Saturday December 2.

The strikes will continue until Friday December 8, when Salford will be most affected.

Different parts of the country will be affected each day to cause maximum disruption, and Northern Rail will not be running any services at all on December 8: affecting anyone wanting to travel into or out of Greater Manchester that day.

These strikes have been organised by train drivers’ union Aslef as they fight for a pay increase.

With this week being the last before the Christmas break for the University of Salford as well as many other universities across Manchester, students and visitors alike are in disarray over the news of the strikes being so close to the break.

Interview with Katlyn, a worker at Salford Crescent Station. Image credits: Ben Abel 30107 | Salford Crescent Railway Station in Salford, Greater… | Flickr

Rhys Hanson, a student at Salford University, said: “I understand why they’re doing it but especially so close to Christmas there’s so many people going home: it’s not ideal.”

“If I was to get the bus or coach it would take seven or eight hours so really the train is the only feasible way because I don’t have my car here at the moment.”

Student ambassador Mary Eziefule was also disappointed at the situation on behalf of her friends who use the trains regularly.

She said: “Lots of friends in my class that come to school on the train, I know it’s even difficult for them now so the train strike is going to be so crazy. I mean they would literally miss classes, they would miss group assignments, group assessments, group meetings and then it would be really horrible.”

Joe Gilford said he had to get the train for work. He said: “If the train’s not there then what can you do? I’m from an hour or two away and I’m working every weekend.”

There will be more misery for train passengers later in December when the RMT union members strike on 13-14 and 16-17. They are also planning an overtime ban from December 18 to January 2.

Watch what more of the public have to say here.