TRAIN drivers at Aslef are set to launch an overtime ban on Thursday ahead of a series of fresh strikes over pay and working conditions.

The ban will last until Saturday and will be enforced for another 48 hours next Monday.

Train drivers will walk out at Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, West Midlands and London Northwestern tomorrow.

On Saturday, Chiltern Railways, Great Western Railway, LNER, Heathrow Express, Northern and TransPennine Express will be hit by strikes.

Staff will also down tools at c2c, Gatwick Express, Greater Anglia, Great Northern, Southeastern, Southern, South Western Railway, and Thameslink on Monday.

Commenting on the 20-month dispute, Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said: “We have given the government every opportunity to come to the table but it is now clear they do not want to resolve this dispute. They are happy for it to go on and on.

“We are not going to give up. Many members have now not had a single penny increase in pay for half a decade, during which time inflation has soared and, with it, the cost of living.”

A spokesperson for the Rail Delivery Group said: “We are sorry that this round of strikes called by the Aslef leadership risk disrupting journeys.

“While we are doing all we can to keep trains running and we will work with our industry partners to keep as many trains running as possible, unfortunately there will be reduced services between Thursday April 4 [and] Tuesday April 9.”