Biggest rail strike in three decades: What lines are affected and what events could be hit?

The biggest rail strike for more than three decades threatens to cause chaos across the country over some of the biggest events of the summer.

One union boss says the industrial action over three days later this month will “shut down the system”.

Tens of thousands of RMT union members will walk out over three key issues: pay, compulsory redundancies and safety concerns.

Sky News takes a look at the train lines and events that will be affected – including the return of the biggest music festival in the world for the first time since 2019, international sports fixtures and meetings with Commonwealth heads of state.

When is the strike planned?

The walkouts by the RMT union are planned for 21, 23 and 25 June.

Up to 50,000 of its members across Network Rail, 13 train operators and on the London Underground will strike on 21 June in the “biggest outbreak of industrial action in the UK since 1989”.

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An estimated 40,000 rail workers – excluding staff on the Tube – will strike on 23 and 25 June, the union said.

Services are likely to be affected throughout the week because of the knock-on effects on trains and crews.

The strike dates follow ballots that ended last month.

What lines are affected?

What events could be disrupted?

The strike threatens to cause travel misery for thousands of people travelling across the country for various events.

The biggest musical event of the summer, Glastonbury Festival returns after a three-year hiatus over the pandemic on 22 June.

More than 200,000 revellers will descend on Worthy Farm in Somerset for five days of music and entertainment.

Many would plan to travel to the site by train on the Great Western Railway, which links London to the South West.

Cricket fans heading to Leeds for the Test match between England and New Zealand on June 23 can expect delays.

Other sporting events that week include the British Athletics Championships in Manchester between June 24 and 26.

Sir Elton John is due to perform at BST Hyde Park on June 24, with the Rolling Stones taking to the stage the day after.

There will also be a Commonwealth heads of government meeting in London on June 24 and 25 and it is Armed Forces Day on June 25, with events planned across the country.

The summer solstice will be celebrated at Stonehenge on 21 June when visitors from around the world gather overnight to celebrate the shortest day of the year and watch the sun rise over the stones in Wiltshire.

People looking forward to watching the London Symphony Orchestra play the Triomphale concert at St Paul’s Cathedral on June 23 could also be affected by the strike.

Passengers returning from the Isle of Wight Festival and the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh could also be delayed as both events finish the day before the strike is planned.

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