Travel delays strikes and disruption

Subterms

    More stories

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Newcastle fans face train nightmare ahead of Spurs clash with huge delays and passengers advised ‘not to travel’

      by

      NEWCASTLE fans have been advised not to travel to London by LNER after major disruption hit the train network ahead of Toon’s clash with Tottenham.All trains from Newcastle to the capital have been cancelled following “severe damage” to overhead lines between Peterborough and Grantham on Saturday.
      Newcastle fans have been advised not to travel to LondonCredit: Rex
      Damage to overhead lines between Grantham and Peterborough caused major disruption
      Train operator LNER announced there was major disruption between London and York with lines to Lincoln and Leeds also affected.
      Newcastle fans travelling to the Tottenham match are able to get as far as Grantham in Lincolnshire but would then have to make alternative arrangements.
      One possible alternative for fans is to take a bus from Grantham to London with supporters travelling on the 8:30am train receiving advice from LNER.
      Another alternative for those yet to set off is to travel from Newcastle to Carlisle or Manchester before boarding a London-bound train.
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFER
      But the Magpies fans also face a nightmare journey back to the North East as the 7:30pm train from King’s Cross to Newcastle has been cancelled.
      That means there will only be one train back to Newcastle for fans to travel on – and that has been delayed due to staff shortages.

      LNER issued a statement informing customers that their tickets would be valid on other trainlines, including the TransPennine Express between Manchester, Leeds and York/Newcastle.
      Toon’s clash with Spurs in North London kicks off at 4:30pm with Eddie Howe’s side looking to bounce back from their midweek defeat to Everton.
      Most read in Football
      Tottenham are also looking to recover their form after failing to win their last five games despite taking the lead in each one.
      A win for Newcastle would move them above Tottenham in the table into fifth place, and potentially just one point off fourth-placed Manchester City. More

    • 225 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd’s flight to Newcastle is CANCELLED and Ten Hag and team must take nightmare three-hour coach journey

      by

      MANCHESTER UNITED have been forced to travel to Newcastle by coach after their flight was cancelled.The Red Devils were scheduled to fly to the north-east on Saturday morning.
      Manchester United are travelling to Newcastle by coach after their flight was cancelledCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Marcus Rashford appeared to be feeling the cold as he boarded the coachCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      But their 11am flight was cancelled due to bad weather and technical problems.
      That means the squad has had to resort to a coach to travel the 106 miles to St James’ Park just hours before their 8pm kick-off.
      The journey is expected to take three hours if there is no further disruption from traffic or bad weather.
      The Met Office is predicting freezing temperatures in Newcastle this evening, which could dip to -1 Celsius.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      Erik ten Hag and Rasmus Hojlund already appeared to be feeling the cold as they boarded the coach ahead of their trip north.
      United will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing 3-3 draw with Galatasaray in mid-week which left them on the brink of Champions League elimination.

      However United are the in-form team in the Premier League over the last five matches with four wins and one defeat.
      They have won three on the bounce without conceding and thrashed Everton away from home last time out.
      Most read in Football
      Andre Onana will be aiming to bounce back from his mid-week blunderCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Rasmus Hojlund is still looking for his first Premier League goalCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Alejandro Garnacho is in brilliant form with two goals in two gamesCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Captain Bruno Fernandes scored a spectacular goal in IstanbulCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
      Newcastle also have several key players missing through injuries and suffered their own European setback in mid-week, cruelly conceding a controversial last-minute penalty to draw with Paris Saint-Germain.
      But they did dominate Chelsea last week with a 4-1 win at St James’ Park and have won six out of seven games on their home turf.
      Man Utd’s journey to Newcastle turned into a nightmare
      Raphael Varane could be in contention to startCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Harry Maguire has been a regular starter for the last few weeksCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Scott McTominay has been in good goalscoring form this seasonCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Youngster Kobbie Mainoo has featured in the last two gamesCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      United’s coach journey is expected to take three hoursCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke More

    • 188 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Passengers left fuming as Arsenal opponents ‘STEAL’ commercial flight and leave 80 stranded at airport

      by

      CHAOS erupted at a Spanish airport after Sevilla players boarded a commercial flight and left other passengers stranded.The LaLiga side played Celta Vigo away on Saturday afternoon with the game ending 1-1.
      Sevilla players boarded a flight at the expense of paying customersCredit: Getty
      Air Nostrum have apologised and offered passengers compensationCredit: AIR NOSTRUM
      After the final whistle, the Sevilla players went to catch their flight home from the north of Spain to the south.
      Meanwhile, 80 passengers queued up to board a plane heading for Madrid but they were told there was a delay.
      Suddenly, the customers were bypassed by the Sevilla squad and told their flight was now cancelled.
      The group of 56 all boarded the plane and left the 80 paying customers stranded at the airport.
      READ MORE ARSENAL NEWS
      It turns out the team’s chartered jet had suffered a technical fault and Air Nostrum chose to put them on a different flight at the expense of everyday people.
      They were not given alternative travel arrangements and will instead receive compensation.
      One passenger fumed on social media, writing: “We are still at the airport with no word about the theft of the plane by Sevilla.”
      The airline later released a statement that read: “Air Nostrum deeply regrets the disadvantage suffered by the passengers on flight IB8869 from Vigo to Madrid, which is solely due to an unfortunate error on the part of the airline.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
      “In the coming week we will contact all passengers to compensate them for the inconvenience caused.”
      Sevilla have to board another plane in the coming days as they face Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
      This is not the first Spanish football travel disaster this season after 15 Las Palmas players missed their flight ahead of a crucial away game. More

    • 213 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Community Shield travel chaos with Arsenal and Man City fans facing rail replacement buses on Wembley route

      by

      FOOTBALL fans have been left facing travel chaos ahead of the Community Shield.Arsenal take on Treble winners Manchester City in today’s clash at Wembley – set to kick off at 4pm.
      Football fans are facing travel chaos ahead of the Community ShieldCredit: Alamy
      However, travelling fans have been left with a nightmare scenario after it came to light that Wembley Central Station is CLOSED.
      The closure is due to planned engineering works affecting the Bakerloo and London Overground lines.
      Wembley Stadium can hold 90,000 people.
      And with Arsenal and Man City both selling out their respective ticket allocations, the area is sure to be packed.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      According to the TfL website, rail replacement services have been laid on to ensure fans can still make it to the station ahead of the game.
      With the closure there is no service between Stonebridge Park and Harrow and Wealdstone on the Bakerloo line.
      Meanwhile, the Overground line has no service between Willesden Junction and Watford Junction.
      The special bus route sees the 718 run from Stonebridge Park all the way through to Watford Junction.
      Most read in Football

      DREAM TEAM IS LIVE – JOIN NOW TO BATTLE FOR THE £50k TOP PRIZE
      Arsenal are looking to win the Shield for the first time since 2020 -when they beat Liverpool on penalties.
      City last won the trophy in 2019, losing the last two finals they competed to Leicester and Liverpool respectively.
      The last time these two sides met in this competition was in 2014, with the Gunners running out 3-0 victors that day. More

    • 175 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Crippling rail strikes fail to stop fans from attending first all-Manchester FA Cup final

      by

      FOOTIE fans were jubilant yesterday after crippling rail strikes failed to stop them attending the first all-Manchester FA Cup final.Supporters crammed into cars and piled on to coaches as trains were axed due to ­drivers walking out on the biggest day of the season.
      Manchester City supporters queued round the block to board a coach to the FA Cup finalCredit: EPA
      Manchester United fans leave Old Trafford by coach to travel to Wembley Stadium ahead of the FA Cup finalCredit: PA
      Many got up at the crack of dawn to embark on the 200-mile pilgrimage from the North West to Wembley to beat the traffic.
      The six-hour drive proved worthwhile for Man City fans who kept treble dreams alive by claiming a 2-1 victory over United in the first Manchester derby final in the competition’s 151-year history.
      The Red Devils, who secured their own ­trophy trio in 1999, were chasing their second silverware of the year.
      United fan Marty Harris, 46, woke at 4am for a £300 flight from Edinburgh to Birmingham before car-sharing to Watford and then getting the Tube to Wembley with his young son.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      He said: “I’m here now so that’s the main thing. It’s been torture, absolute torture. I think people watching will be tired because they’ve got up so early to be here.”
      Sharon and Mark Ralph, drove for seven hours from Cheshire on Friday night to avoid the strikes — staying in a hotel for two nights before watching their beloved United yesterday.
      Sharon, 44, said: “We don’t mind the extra cost. It was definitely worth it.”
      FA Cup expert Phil Annets, who wrote in the official matchday ­programme, needed a lift back to Oxfordshire after being driven to the match by a friend.
      Most read in Football
      The 58-year-old said: “I think it’s vindictive by the strikers to try to impact as many people as possible.”
      Hundreds of coaches and cars set off from the North West in the early hours for the usual four-hour trip down the M6 and M40 motorways towards North West London.
      But the journey took more than six hours for many who got stuck in two huge tailbacks on the M1.
      Manchester United fan Ralph Cooper, 56, said: “Even if it would have taken me two days to get there and two days to get back, it wouldn’t have made any difference. I wouldn’t have missed this.”
      Police patrolled service stations along the route despite fans being allocated separate stop-offs depending on whether their loyalties were red or sky blue.
      Both Manchester clubs provided return coaches at a subsidised price of £50 a seat to meet the exceptional demand.
      The FA also put on 120 special bus services — 60 for each club leaving from different locations — at £60 per fan.
      Extra car parking was also made available 25 minutes’ walk away from the stadium in Fryent Park.
      Event day parking at the 90,000-capacity stadium had sold out two weeks ago.
      Tom Legg, head of external operations at the FA, had said of the two-day travel carnage: “This additional strike action will severely impact fans who might have been considering travelling to London from Manchester the night before the final.”
      Fans battled for parking spaces in sleepy, suburban Stanmore in North West London — at the very northern end of the Jubilee line — after the Metropolitan line was temporarily suspended due to ­signal failure.
      Manchester City fans were fierce during their historic FA Cup Final win against bitter rivals Man UnitedCredit: Getty
      Hundreds of motorists from ­Manchester had come off the M1 to park up in Stanmore, filling up side streets normally used by ­residents and shoppers.
      Others made deals with enterprising locals to park their cars on their driveways.
      Mary, 60, travelling with godson Oliver, 21, said: “There’s no choice really.”
      James, who travelled to Bushey, Herts, on Thursday to avoid the rush, said: “I’ve got a friend from Manchester who left at half past six in the morning and five hours later he’s still stuck in traffic on the motorway.”
      Strikes coincided with other huge events like the Epsom Derby, England’s test match at Lord’s and Beyonce’s concert at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
      Usually busy railway stations across the capital have been left looking like ghost towns as around 12,000 Aslef and RMT members walked out in industrial action for the second day in a row.
      After helping to cripple around 40 per cent of train services, Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said: “We are determined to get a resolution and remain in this for the long haul.”
      The Department for Transport claimed the action had been deliberately coordinated to target major events for maximum disruption.
      A spokesman added: “Not content with impacting the hundreds of thousands of people who have looked forward to these events all year round, unions are also targeting their own members’ pockets by forcing them to miss out on pay every time they strike.
      “The Government has facilitated a fair and reasonable pay offer.
      “Now union leaders must do the right thing and put this to their members.”
      Aslef’s chaotic rail strike was designed to affect those wanting to travel to the FA Cup Final at Wembley and The Derby at Epsom this weekendCredit: Paul Marriott
      Stars are in crowd
      STARS from both sides of Manchester were spotted in the crowd at Wembley.
      Ex-Red Devils favourite David Beckham, 48, looked glum as he watched his beloved side lose with sons Brooklyn, 24, and Cruz, 18.

      Liam Gallagher celebrates Man City’s success with his boys Lennon and GeneCredit: Pixel8000
      David Beckham was also spotted in the Wembley standsCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      But ex-Oasis singer Liam Gallagher, 50, pumped his arms in the air watching City’s win with his kids.
      Prince William, president of the FA, presented the medals and trophy after the game, tweeting: “A derby like no other today.”
      Erling Haaland of Manchester City, receives his FA Cup winners medal from Prince WilliamCredit: Getty More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Militant rail union bosses try to wreck FA Cup final and Derby by unleashing strike misery on sports fans

      by

      BITTER rail union bosses are unleashing strike misery on one of the biggest sporting days of the year.Aslef’s Mick Whelan — a self-styled pal of the workers — will try to wreck two of their favourite events.
      Rail union bosses are unleashing strike misery on footie fans heading to the FA Cup final, which Liverpool won last yearCredit: Getty
      The FA Cup final will be held at Wembley Stadium on June 3Credit: Alamy
      Racegoers and punters must make new travel plans for the Epsom Derby the same dayCredit: PA
      Disruption on June 3 will hit fans going to the FA Cup Final and racegoers heading to Epsom for The Derby.
      The walkout, one of three by Aslef, will inflict transport hell on 80,000 Manchester City and Manchester United followers.
      Aslef members will also strike on May 12 and May 31.
      In another major blow, rail workers with the RMT union will strike on May 13 — the day of the Eurovision final in Liverpool.
      READ MORE ON STRIKE CHAOS
      Aslef general secretary Mick ­Whelan, who enjoys a £151,371-a- year package, has a desk full of Chelsea memorabilia.
      His side were thrashed 4-0 by City in the Cup’s third round.
      Aslef president David Calfe is an Arsenal fan, whose team lost 4-1 to City in Wednesday’s title clash.
      Tory MP Brendan Clarke-Smith said: “This looks like nothing more than sour grapes on the part of the union after their teams have lost.
      Most read in Football
      “The actions of Aslef will ruin the plans for football fans, families and those wanting to experience Eurovision. I’m giving them nul points.”
      Kevin Parker, of the Manchester City Official Supporters Club, said: “This is the last thing we need.”
      The Manchester United Supporters Trust added: “We need all modes of transport available to cope with the level of demand and the railways are a key part of that.
      “We call on the Government and union to find a way to avert this.”
      The May 12 eve-of-Eurovision action will hit 3,000 Ukrainians invited to the song contest which their war-torn nation cannot host.
      In another major blow, rail workers with the RMT union will strike on May 13, the day of the Eurovision final in Liverpool
      Aslef members will also strike on May 12 and May 31Credit: LNP
      Footie fans will be travelling to six Premier League fixtures on May 13.
      Families planning half-term trips later in May, and cricket fans heading to the England vs Ireland Test match at Lord’s also face chaos.
      Downing Street called the walkouts “incredibly disappointing”.
      A No10 spokesman said: “We believe the offer that’s on the table is fair and reasonable.”
      Tory MP Greg Smith, who sits on the Transport Select Committee, said: “Unbelievable that Aslef want to inflict more misery on the great British public at such an important time in the sporting calendar.
      “They need to understand the damage they are doing and reflect on the high salaries they enjoy.”
      Tory MP Caroline Dinenage said of the song contest final: “This is Ukraine’s Eurovision and British people have put their heart and soul into doing it justice for them.
      “It feels heartless to deprive Ukrainian people the rare opportunity for escapism after everything they have endured.”
      The strikes will heap further pain on pubs and restaurants trying to recover from the pandemic. The sector has lost more than £3billion in sales as a result of the strikes and the high-demand summer ­period will now be impacted.
      Kate Nicholls, of UK Hospitality, said: “It’s incredibly frustrating that almost a year on from the start of this dispute, there appears to be no resolution in sight.”
      Aslef announced its strikes after a meeting of the executive. Mr Whelan described the new pay offer of eight per cent over two years as “risible”.
      He said: “The proposal was clearly not designed to be accepted as inflation is still running north of ten per cent and our members at these companies have not had an increase for four years.”
      The union said all non-contractual overtime from May 15 for six days and also on ­Saturday 13 and Thursday June 1 will be withdrawn, which will likely affect services.
      The RMT turned down an offer which included a first-year payment of five per cent but only if no ­further walkouts would take place
      Aslef general secretary Mick ­Whelan, who enjoys a £151,371-a- year package, has a desk full of Chelsea memorabiliaCredit: Getty
      Aslef president David Calfe is an Arsenal fan, whose team lost 4-1 to City in Wednesday’s title clash
      Boss Mick Lynch said: “We have no alternative but to press ahead with more strike action.”
      Transport Secretary Mark Harper called on Aslef to let its members vote on the deal put forward by the Rail Delivery Group (RDG).
      He said: “It is deeply disappointing that Aslef has decided to call strikes and ban overtime, targeting thousands of people attending the UK’s first Eurovision event in 25 years, including Ukrainians displaced by Putin’s war, and the first all-Manchester FA Cup final.
      “The offer from the RDG included urgent reform to ensure our railways are financially sustainable for the benefit of passengers, workers and the taxpayer as well as delivering a pay rise for members whose salary already averages £60,000.
      “Aslef need to call off strikes and give their members a say on this.”
      Aslef said it had met employers eight times over a year to find a resolution. They claimed they had to hold eight strike days before the Government would even negotiate.
      A union source added: “The teams Mick and Dave support have no bearing on the days action will be taken.”
      They added they have to give 14 days notice to call strikes to try to ensure rosters are filled.
      Read More on The Sun
      The Rail Delivery Group said: “Senselessly targeting Eurovision and the FA Cup final is disappointing for all those planning to attend.
      “We urge Aslef leadership to rejoin us at the negotiating table.” More