Chiltern Railways faces RMT strike disruption over East West Rail dispute
Chiltern Railways is facing RMT union strike action and service adjustments over staffing arrangements for the new East West Rail route linking Oxford to Milton Keynes.
Passengers traveling across parts of the West Midlands face widespread adjustments and canceled local connections as industrial action hits the rail network. Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union working as train managers have staged a series of 24-hour walkouts, with the latest action scheduled for Thursday, November 12. The core of the dispute centers on staffing arrangements and driver-only operation planned for the first stage of the newly developing East West Rail route linking Oxford to Milton Keynes.
Union leadership argues that the proposed operational model poses substantial safety risks. RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said the driver-only operation proposed for the route posed a significant safety risk and threatened existing train manager jobs at Chiltern, adding that the union remains determined to resist any attempt to weaken safety standards on the railway. The RMT also criticized management for failing to take their concerns seriously.
Media additions
The Office of Rail and Road describes driver-controlled operation as an arrangement in which the driver opens and closes the train doors, noting it shares many similarities with driver-only operation. Under safety principles published by the regulator, a driver-controlled operation train can run without a rostered second staff member if they are unavailable, provided the route has passed specific safety assessments. While the union demands assurances regarding the safety-critical duties of the second crew member, Chiltern maintains that every East West Rail service will carry two staff members.
Company executives have rejected the union's safety claims while expressing frustration over the ongoing labor strife. Tony Baxter, interim managing director of Chiltern Railways, said:
Baxter also noted:"We’re disappointed that the RMT is continuing with industrial action over how we intend to run services on the first stage of East West Rail between Oxford and Milton Keynes."
Tony Baxter, interim managing director, via Solihull Observer and Herald Series
Furthermore, Baxter emphasized:"Every East West Rail service will have two people on board – the Driver, and a colleague looking after passengers: checking tickets, helping people who need assistance, and on hand to assist with any issues."
Tony Baxter, interim managing director, via Solihull Observer
"We have run most of our trains with the Driver in control of the doors for decades, safely and as approved by The Independent rail regulator. It also means over 100 new permanent jobs at Chiltern, and no changes to the roles of existing colleagues."
Tony Baxter, interim managing director, via Solihull Observer
The Department for Transport echoed support for the operator's staffing and door-control model. A Department for Transport spokesman said:
The department added that utilizing this model alongside an onboard support staff member would not alter current train manager roles, terms, conditions, or staffing levels, dismissing contrary suggestions as false. Meanwhile, ASLEF, the other main rail union, is not in dispute over the matter."Chiltern Railways has run most of its network for decades with the driver in full control of the doors, a model approved by the independent rail regulator."
Department for Transport spokesman, via The Independent
Despite the walkout, operators anticipate that the vast majority of services will continue to run, maintaining normal operations into and out of London Marylebone. On Thursday, November 12, no Chiltern trains will run between Stratford-upon-Avon and Leamington Spa, and none will operate north of Birmingham Moor Street. Local shuttle services between Leamington Spa and Birmingham Moor Street will also see a small reduction, particularly impacting customers at Hatton and Lapworth.
| Strike date | Called by | Core issue | Chiltern’s stated service level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 October 2026 | RMT | East West Rail crew role / driver-only operation | Near-normal; >93 % of services |
| 17 October 2026 | RMT | East West Rail crew role / driver-only operation | Near-normal; >93 % of services |
| 12 November 2026 | RMT | East West Rail crew role / driver-only operation | >90 % of services |
Alternative travel arrangements are in place for stranded passengers. Those traveling between Stratford-upon-Avon and Leamington Spa are directed to use West Midlands Railway services via Dorridge at no extra cost, with no rail replacement buses scheduled. Travelers heading toward Stourbridge Junction are advised to use West Midlands Railway services instead, with the final northbound departure slated as the 22:57 GMT West Midlands Railway service from Birmingham Moor Street. Conversely, services to and from Wembley Stadium for the evening England versus Croatia football match are expected to operate normally.
The broader background of the East West Rail project involves prolonged delays. Originally due to open over a year prior, the infrastructure project has faced setbacks from additional construction work at Winslow station alongside the ongoing RMT door-control dispute. Previous procurement notices and planning documents targeted passenger service rollout across various windows, while recent nationalization of Chiltern Railways has introduced new oversight to finalise operational frameworks.
What to watch next
- Confirmed timetables for November 12 will be published by Chiltern Railways in the coming days.
- Ongoing discussions between Chiltern management and the RMT union regarding the safety-critical duties of onboard staff on the East West Rail corridor.
