Birmingham New Street station falls silent for rail strike

Former Wolves striker Colin Taylor was among football fans caught up in the disruption

No trains are running from Birmingham New Street station due a mass walkout by striking drivers.

Thousands of members of the Aslef union at nine rail firms are taking industrial action over pay.

Four operators that use the station have no services running and all platforms are closed.

Chiltern Railways, which serves other stations in the city, said it expected its services to be affected by the action.

The company, whose trains stop at stations including Moor Street and Snow Hill, said it would be "extremely busy" and cancellations were expected at short notice, so people should only travel if it was essential.

Colin Taylor, a former Wolves player on his way to watch their home game against Fulham, was among those using the Chiltern line as a result of the action.

Mr Taylor, who usually travels to New Street from London Euston, left his home in Ipswich at about 07:00 BST to travel across London and make the 15:00 kick-off.

He was among passengers unable to get a seat in several crowded carriages, which also lacked air conditioning in the sweltering temperatures.

"I've still got to get a tram when I get to Birmingham," he said. "The trains are only going once an hour, there should be a faster service as well as the stopping one."

"I'm not happy. I don't even know if I will have time to get a beer," he joked.

The concourse at New Street was open but no trains were running

Jordan Halewood was standing on the train with a group of friends heading to Birmingham for a birthday catch-up.

They had hoped to go to New Street from Milton Keynes on a 50-minute journey but instead the journey was taking several hours.

The project manager said: "The strikes have impacted the majority of people I work with in the construction industry who are losing money every day of the action."

Passengers have faced disruption over the summer due to several strikes, as unions have called for pay increases in line with inflation.

Network Rail said ticket gates at New Street would be closed but people could access the concourse as it was a "key pedestrian route" across the city centre.

Birmingham's Moor Street saw larger crowds as people travelled by Chiltern services

Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway were not running services into New Street, causing limited services across the West Midlands region.

Martin Colmey, operations director for Network Rail's Central route, said the strike was "frustrating and disappointing" and advised people to check the National Rail Enquiries website.

"We will have staff on hand to help people passing through the station, but please be patient on what will be a very difficult day for everyone," he said.

"Our advice is to contact your train operator for the latest information on ticketing, services and refunds."

• How much are rail workers paid?

• When and where are the train strikes?

Aslef said drivers striking on Saturday had not had a pay increase for three years and it wants a rise that reflects the increased cost of living.

Train companies say they want to give a pay rise, but reforms were required to fund it.

Rail industry bosses and Aslef are expected to hold formal talks next week.