Planned train strikes are set to disrupt travel across Cambridgeshire again from this weekend (November 5) as the dispute over pay rates and working conditions continues. 

The Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) will be striking over three days (Saturday November 5, Monday November 7 and Wednesday November 9). 

The original dates for these strikes have been revised slightly due to the Royal British Legion Poppy Day today (November 3). 

Several strikes took place by rail workers last month (October) which were described as the biggest walkout of the year. 

During the strikes this month, disruption is expected on either side of the strike days and people are being advised to plan journeys accordingly. 

The Cambridgeshire services which will be affected by this month's train strikes include Greater Anglia, Great Northern, Thameslink, and London North Eastern Railway (LNER). 

On its website, Greater Anglia has advised passengers to avoid using its trains on strike days and to “expect busy trains on the morning after each strike”. 

They also warned passengers that there will be no trains before 7:30am on November 6, 8 and 10 and where possible, to avoid travelling during the morning rush hour. 

A statement on Greater Anglia’s website said: “A very limited service will run between London Liverpool Street and Norwich, Colchester, Southend Victoria, Cambridge, and on the Stansted Express between London and Stansted Airport – with first trains from 7:30am and all journeys complete by 6:30pm. 

“There will be no trains for other routes.” 

Commuters travelling between Peterborough and London on the strike days may have to adjust their travel times as LNER trains will be running to an “extremely limited” timetable. 

Great Northern and Thameslink passengers will see only one train per hour between King’s Cross and Ely, Cambridge and Ely, and King’s Cross and Cambridge.  

There will be two trains per hour between King’s Cross and Peterborough, and trains between Cambridge and Ely will only call at Cambridge, Cambridge North, Waterbeach and Ely. 

In response to the strike action, RMT general secretary, Mick Lynch, said: “Our focus in this dispute is the rail employers who have yet to make an offer that will create the conditions for a negotiated settlement. 

“I call upon the new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to unshackle the rail industry so they can come to a settlement with RMT. 

“We will vigorously pursue our industrial campaign until we achieve a deal.” 

In separate disputes, London Underground and Overground members will take strike action on November 10.