MILLIONS of Brits have been hit by travel chaos this half-term after a train derailed and airport staff announced a three-day strike.
Passengers are suffering major disruption after a freight train derailed on a major route between England and Scotland on Wednesday afternoon.
Services are being cancelled and delayed because of the incident on the West Coast Main Line between Carlisle and Oxenholme Lake District, National Rail Enquiries said.
Some lines are blocked and a very limited train service is running on the line that remains open.
Train operators Avanti West Coast and TransPennine Express issued a “do not travel” alert, urging passengers not to attempt to use their services for journeys between Preston and Scotland on Thursday.
Ticket holders can delay journeys until Friday or travel with other operators.
And the news comes as hundreds of Border Force officers at Heathrow Airport are set to launch a three-day strike on Friday in a dispute over rosters.
The Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) said more than 500 of its members working on passport control at terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5 are taking action in protest at new rosters being imposed.
The union said more than 250 staff face losing their jobs or being moved on to other work against their will.
Those who remain will have longer shifts, inflexible shift-swapping rules, no clarity on booking leave and no way to work around caring responsibilities, the PCS claimed.
A petition has been launched in support of the workers.
PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said: “We call on all trade unionists and the public to support this petition and tell Border Force management to scrap this unwelcome and unworkable roster that has already caused misery to our members.
“PCS has repeatedly called for more flexibility in the new roster but management has refused to listen.
“Until they do, and they put forward proposals to improve the roster, then the dispute will continue.”
In the aftermath of the train derailment, in a message posted on Wednesday night on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, one passenger wrote that they had been “stranded for over 6 hours”.
Another passenger wrote on Thursday: “I’m sat on a static train outside Penrith station.
“We’ve been told that it would ‘probably be significantly more than an hour’ to get through the block.
Flight compensation rules
What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
Airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.
If you’re flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.
You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven’t used yet.
So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.
But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline.
When am I not entitled to compensation?
The airline doesn’t have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.
Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.
Some airlines may stretch the definition of the “extraordinary circumstances” but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled?
If you can’t claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.
Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.
Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.
If your flight is cancelled entirely, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance.
“No replacement buses. People with cases for flights… no route to the Midlands. No replacement buses. Chaos.”
In a subsequent message, he wrote that he had been “dumped in Penrith” and his journey was “3 hours late”.
Network Rail’s acting North West route strategy director Kara Wood said: “We’re sorry to passengers affected by the derailment.
“We have specialist repair teams on site working as fast as they can to make the railway safe.
“Disruption is expected for the rest of the day, so we’re urging people to plan their journeys and check before they travel with their train operator or National Rail Enquiries.”