Fresh wave of rail strikes to hit FA Cup final and Epsom Derby

Weekend train services to be severely reduced across England as dispute over pay and conditions continues

A fresh wave of train strikes has seen rail services in parts of England grind to a halt, with planned industrial action on Friday and Saturday set to affect hundreds of thousands of people travelling to sporting events and concerts.

More than 12,000 members of Aslef, the drivers’ union, began a 24-hour strike on Wednesday as part of the long-running dispute between the unions and the government over pay, jobs and conditions.