Christmas rail travel could be disrupted by crew shortages and engineering works

Rail minister warns MPs about disruption as Avanti West Coast announces strike

Train passengers visiting family and friends over Christmas could have their journeys disrupted by crew shortages, especially on parts of the railway network subject to engineering works, the rail minister has warned.

Peter Hendy told MPs that the government is concerned about staffing at train operators over the festive period and officials at the Department for Transport (DfT) would continue to look at the issue before Christmas.