CrossCountry rail strikes set for four December Saturdays amid nationwide travel chaos
Four Saturdays in December 2025 will see CrossCountry trains grind to a halt as the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union launches coordinated strike action — a move that comes after negotiations collapsed over pay and staffing levels. The strikes, confirmed in a notice issued at 17:16 GMT on Sunday, 22 November 2025, will hit on 6, 13, 20, and 27 December, deliberately避开 the Christmas Day and Boxing Day holidays but striking right at the heart of the holiday travel rush. For millions of passengers — from business travelers rushing to year-end meetings to families heading to grandparents’ homes — this isn’t just an inconvenience. It’s a potential holiday wrecking ball.
Why This Strike Is Different
Unlike previous rail walkouts, this one is narrowly targeted but brutally timed. The RMT isn’t striking every day. It’s picking Saturdays — the busiest travel days for leisure trips — and hitting when people are least prepared to adapt. CrossCountry, which runs over 300 daily services connecting Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Bristol, Edinburgh, and major airports like Birmingham Airport and Southampton Airport, is the backbone of long-distance travel across the Midlands and North. No trains. No backups. No easy detours.
And here’s the twist: the company isn’t sitting still. CrossCountry has promised a "slimmed-down timetable" by 1 December 2025, with tickets remaining valid on "reasonable alternative routes." But what’s "reasonable"? A three-hour detour via London? A 12-hour journey with three changes? For many, it won’t be reasonable at all.
Network Rail’s Engineering Nightmare
But the RMT strikes are only half the story. While passengers brace for train cancellations, Network Rail is preparing its own wave of disruption. Starting Saturday, 24 December 2025, major engineering works will shut down the West Coast Main Line — the spine of Britain’s rail network. That means no direct services between London Euston and the North West, Scotland, or the Midlands. Replacement buses will run between Milton Keynes Central and Rugby, adding hours to journeys. At Hanslope Junction, a critical rail junction in Buckinghamshire, workers will replace aging infrastructure, causing delays that could stretch into days.
Then there’s London. From Saturday, 27 December 2025, to Thursday, 1 January 2026, London Liverpool Street will be completely closed — no trains, no exceptions, except for the Elizabeth line. London Waterloo and Vauxhall will shut for two days. Cambridge, Bury St Edmunds, and Stansted Airport will be cut off. Replacement buses? Yes. But with snow forecast and road congestion already high, those buses will crawl.
Who’s Affected — And How
Corporate travel managers are already scrambling. Industry analysts are advising companies to shift time-sensitive trips to London North Eastern Railway (LNER) or Avanti West Coast — if seats are available. Some are authorizing domestic flights as a last resort. But here’s the catch: airports are also bracing for holiday crowds. Security lines will be longer. Baggage delays, common in December, will be worse.
For families, the impact is personal. A worker based in Edinburgh might need to return to their family in Bristol for Christmas. With CrossCountry out and the West Coast Main Line under repair, they’ll need to take a train to Glasgow, then a bus to Carlisle, then another train to Manchester — if they can even get a seat. And that’s assuming the Clifton Aqueduct Bridge replacement near Carlisle doesn’t delay things further.
Employers with factory shutdowns over Christmas are now facing a new problem: can their staff reach temporary housing or family homes? One manufacturing firm in Stoke-on-Trent told the BBC they’ve had to book hotel rooms for 40 employees — just to avoid being stranded.
The Bigger Picture: A System on the Edge
The RMT’s dispute with CrossCountry isn’t isolated. The union has live industrial ballots running at ScotRail, Greater Anglia, and TransPennine Express. A breakthrough in talks could still avert one or more December strikes — but only if ACAS manages to mediate before the deadline. So far, talks have stalled.
It’s not just about wages. It’s about workload. Drivers, conductors, and station staff are working longer hours with fewer colleagues. Turnover is high. Morale is low. The RMT says it’s not asking for luxury — just safe, sustainable staffing levels. CrossCountry, citing rising operational costs, says it’s already doing more with less.
Meanwhile, the public is growing weary. In 2022, rail strikes cost the UK economy an estimated £2.5 billion. This year, with the added strain of engineering works, the cost could hit £4 billion — and that’s before you factor in the emotional toll on families who can’t get home.
What’s Next?
ACAS has scheduled a final mediation session for 29 November 2025. If no deal is reached, the four strikes will go ahead. If a deal is made, the RMT will announce a suspension — but only for the December dates. The threat of January strikes remains. And Network Rail’s engineering works? Those are locked in. No amount of negotiation will stop them.
For travelers, the message is clear: plan early. Book ahead. Assume nothing will run on time. And if you can avoid travel between 24 December and 4 January — do it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will the CrossCountry strikes affect my Christmas travel plans?
If you’re traveling between Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Edinburgh, or Bristol on any of the four strike Saturdays — 6, 13, 20, or 27 December — expect no CrossCountry services. Alternative routes may be available via LNER or Avanti West Coast, but seats will be scarce. Buses may replace trains on some legs, adding hours to your journey. Plan at least two weeks ahead and check National Rail Enquiries daily for updates.
Why are the strikes scheduled on Saturdays?
Saturdays are the busiest travel days for leisure trips, especially during the holiday season. By targeting these days, the RMT maximizes public awareness and pressure on CrossCountry management. The union deliberately avoided Christmas Day and Boxing Day to maintain public sympathy, but the timing ensures maximum disruption to family travel and holiday plans.
Can I still use my train ticket if my service is canceled?
Yes. CrossCountry says tickets will remain valid on "reasonable alternative routes," including services from LNER, Avanti West Coast, and Southern. However, "reasonable" is defined by the operator — not the passenger. If you’re forced onto a bus or a circuitous route, you won’t be compensated for time lost. Keep all tickets and receipts for potential claims.
What’s the likelihood of more strikes in January 2026?
High. The RMT has active ballots at ScotRail, TransPennine Express, and Greater Anglia. If talks with CrossCountry fail, those ballots are likely to move toward strike action. January is already shaping up as another volatile month for rail travelers, especially with ongoing infrastructure works on the West Coast Main Line and Clifton Aqueduct Bridge.
Are flights a reliable alternative to trains during this period?
Not really. Airports are expected to be at peak capacity between 20 December and 4 January. Domestic flights from Birmingham, Manchester, and Edinburgh will be crowded, with delays common due to weather and congestion. Airlines are also short-staffed. While flights may be faster, they’re not necessarily more reliable — and they cost more. For short-haul trips under 300 miles, trains (even disrupted ones) remain the better option if you can secure a seat.
What should employers do to protect their staff?
Employers should immediately review employee travel plans for December and January. Encourage remote work where possible, offer flexible leave, and provide travel contingency funds. Staff who rely on trains to reach temporary housing or family homes may need hotel bookings or transport vouchers. Monitor ACAS updates closely — a last-minute deal could prevent the worst-case scenario.
