The RMT Union has announced four new 48h strike dates, two in December, and two in the new year.

After months of travel chaos, passengers are expected to face more disruption across the winter months, after RMT bosses announced further strikes earlier today.

Over 40,000 rail staff at 14 train operating companies are expected to strike on 13-14 and 16-17 December, and 3-4 and 6-7 January.

The RMT said there would also be an overtime ban from 18 December until 2 January, meaning the union will be partaking in industrial action for four weeks in total.

Strikes, coupled with engineering works over Christmas, means that many travellers’ festive plans may be affected. Several lines into London are closed between Christmas and the New Year, including London Victoria, which will see no trains for 6 days.

The strikes will also affect National Rail signalling staff, meaning that capacity will be severely reduced on main lines, and there will be no service on branch lines.

In addition to the RMT strikes, union Aslef, which represents train drivers, have already announced another strike date on 26 November, in a dispute over pay.

RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said “Our message to the public is, we are sorry to inconvenience you, but we urge you to direct your anger and frustration at the government and railway employers during this latest phase of action.”

The RMT alleges that National Rail, which maintains the railways in Britain, had failed to make an improved pay offer in the last two weeks of talks.

Network Rail’s chief negotiator Tim Shoveller said: “No one can deny the precarious financial hole in which the railway finds itself.

“Striking makes that hole bigger and the task of finding a resolution ever more difficult,” he said, adding that the organisation was still hoping for a ‘breakthrough’ during negotiations.”

The RMT union has already held eight days of industrial action since June, which has caused widespread disruption.

Train Strike calendar: