Tube strikes cancelled

By Amber Stark


KENT commuters release a sigh of relief as rail unions cancel the tube strikes.

The strikes, which were scheduled for May and June, were called off last night by drivers of London's underground rail network. 


The Rail, Maritime and Transport union initially planned to strike after two colleagues, Eammon Lynch and Arwyn Thomas were sacked, but have revoked the plans now that Lynch has won his case of unfair dismissal and Thomas has decided to take his case to the employment tribunal. 


Commuters from the Canterbury and Kent area were set to suffer more even though the majority of the disruption would be taking place in London. 


Those who use the fast link service from Canterbury to St. Pancras would have been hardest hit as they rely heavily on the underground to make the final leg of their journey. 


Canterbury resident and regular commuter, Richard Neill said: "I was so relieved to hear the strikes were cancelled. I travel to London nearly everyday and it's bad enough getting around the busy tubes without all those people having to find other ways into work."


Around 1,500 members were due to strike, giving it the power to be the worst rail strike yet. 


Railway worker, Laura Sears said: "We deal with people on a daily basis who are infuriated with the rail service as it is, the strikes would have been too much and it makes me happy to be able to tell people it's off today."


MP for North Thanet, Roger Gale has been fighting for better rail services for a long time and told YourCanterbury online: "The tube strikes would have aggravated people who already struggle to get into London."


Council leaders are currently in the process of making improvements to the rail services in Kent to ensure commuters and users have the service they want with his Rail Action Plan.


Kent County Council leader Paul Carter told YourCanterbury: "In bringing together the views of rail travellers and local communities across Kent, our plan is a unique and persuasive contribution to the Department for Transport as it begins to shape the next Kent Rail Franchise."