Rail passengers across the UK have received a significant boost to their festive travel plans after a major update from train operator CrossCountry.
Strike Action Suspended for December
The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) has called off its planned industrial action, which was due to cause severe disruption throughout December. This suspension means CrossCountry can now work to restore its standard service in the run-up to Christmas.
The operator has confirmed that a normal timetable will be reinstated starting from Saturday, 6 December 2025. This positive development is expected to apply to subsequent Saturdays in the month, specifically 13, 20, and 27 December, offering relief to thousands planning holiday journeys.
Operator's Cautious Welcome and Key Warnings
CrossCountry's Managing Director, Shiona Rolfe, expressed relief at the union's decision. "We are pleased that RMT has called off planned strike action throughout December," she stated, "and we look forward to welcoming passengers on board to take them into the festive season."
However, Rolfe issued an important caveat for travellers. She emphasised that while the aim is to run the full normal timetable, the short time available to reinstate services means there may be some short-notice cancellations. Passengers are advised to allow extra time and check for updates close to their travel date.
An additional factor that will affect some routes is pre-planned engineering work. Rolfe noted that this work on sections of the network will "still mean some changes to journeys" independent of the strike resolution.
What This Means for Festive Travellers
The last-minute cancellation of the strikes removes a large cloud of uncertainty that had hung over Christmas travel since the industrial action was announced last month. The decision provides much-needed clarity for families, individuals, and businesses relying on rail connectivity during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
While the restoration of the standard timetable is the primary goal, the operator's warnings highlight that services may not be completely seamless. The combination of last-minute planning and ongoing engineering projects means passengers should prepare for a degree of potential disruption and stay informed via official CrossCountry channels.
The resolution marks a positive step in industrial relations for the operator and union, potentially averting widespread festive travel chaos across the CrossCountry network, which serves key routes connecting major cities from the south coast to central Scotland.
