Two days of strike action planned by members of the TSSA trade union on West Midlands Railway services for Friday, July 31, and Saturday, August 1, 2026, have been suspended following further talks between the union and the rail operator.
Rail Routes Affected by Planned Strike and Impact of Suspension
The suspended strike would have affected train services across multiple areas including Birmingham, the Black Country, Wolverhampton, Warwickshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, and Staffordshire. Key rail corridors set for disruption included the Cross City line from Lichfield Trent Valley to Redditch and Bromsgrove, the Wolverhampton to Walsall route, and Rugeley Trent Valley to Birmingham International. Services on routes passing through Birmingham
Snow Hill, the Camp Hill line, Nuneaton to Leamington Spa, and Birmingham New Street to Hereford and Shrewsbury were also impacted in plans preceding the cancellation.
Reason for Strike and Previous Action in July 2026
The strike was called in response to a dispute over payments for rest day working by TSSA union members. Earlier in July, on the 11th and 12th, members of the same union conducted a strike that reduced West Midlands Railway services. The July strike had already led to reduced timetables on affected routes.
Official Response and Passenger Service Status
West Midlands Railway indicated the strike suspension was a result of productive negotiations with the TSSA trade union. Jonny Wiseman, customer
experience director at West Midlands Railway, expressed the company’s satisfaction with the strike being called off, citing the potential disruption that would have affected customers. As a result, a full service with a normal timetable will operate on all West Midlands Railway routes during the previously planned strike days, avoiding delays and cancellations for passengers across the Midlands.
