ESSEX County Council has urged rail unions to halt their planned series of strikes affecting National Express routes throughout the county. Essex County councillor Norman Hume, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, has urged the RMT and ASLEF un

ESSEX County Council has urged rail unions to halt their planned series of strikes affecting National Express routes throughout the county.

Essex County councillor Norman Hume, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, has urged the RMT and ASLEF unions to call off the proposed train strikes which will impact upon large numbers of Essex residents and businesses.

The first 48 hour strike in the dispute over pay began on Thursday (July 30) and caused disruption to many people living and working in Essex. There are more strikes planned for on August 6, 7, 13, 14 20 and 21 which will have a major impact on the county.

Cllr Hume said: "From last week's action we saw the scale of inconvenience and disruption that this dispute is causing.

"With many businesses struggling in the downturn the last thing we need is a whole summer of this disruption causing damage to the economy in Essex and major inconvenience for many of our residents.

"Such action will simply alienate residents and is counterproductive. I am urging the unions to call off the strike and resolve the dispute amicably."

More details of alternative journey options will be available on the National Rail Enquiries website at www.nationalrail.co.uk.

National Express East Anglia will provide further updates, including details of train services which will run on the strike days, on their website at www.nationalexpresseastanglia.com