A strike will also be held across the London Underground
While two sets of talks are expected on Monday morning, the Rail Maritime and Transport Workers union has said it will "intensify" its strike campaign if members don't get an agreeable deal.
He told BBC Breakfast there was "no point giving false hope" that the strikes could be avoided, adding that it is "important to be realistic" about the difficulty of the negotiations. The reduced timetable will be in place until Sunday, with just 20% of usual services running on strike days.Knock-on disruption is expected on the roads, with motorists being warned to expected a surge in traffic.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Rail strike: Travellers face reduced service ahead of rail strikesLast minute talks are due to take place, but passengers are advised to avoid train travel as services prepare to wind down.
Read more »
Rail strikes to definitely go ahead next week after last-ditch talks failBREAKING: A last-ditch bid to stop next week’s rail strikes have failed, paving the way for transport chaos across the country.
Read more »
24 hours to avoid travel chaos: Last-ditch talks 'could stop rail strikes'A rail industry leader has indicated that crunch meetings today could still avert strikes which are set to throw the UK into transport chaos this week.
Read more »
Union 'punishing millions' with next week's rail strike, transport secretary warnsThe Transport Secretary has accused rail union members of 'punishing millions of innocent people' by pressing ahead with next week's train strikes.
Read more »
Rail and tube strikes confirmed as talks failAction on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday is expected to cause disruption across Britain.
Read more »
Rail strikes will 'punish millions of innocent people', govt warnsGrant Shapps warned the UK is 'now on the cusp of major disruption which will cause misery for people right across the country' - and next week's rail strikes are set to be the biggest in decades.
Read more »