TALKS are restarting today in the Arriva Trains Wales pay and conditions dispute, following yesterday's all-out strike by Aslef drivers which left the Principality with no trains on most routes.

ATW has apologised for the disruption, and services are now running again with the exception of trains on the Conwy Valley Line between Llandudno Junction and Blaenau Ffestiniog, which is closed until further notice while flood damage is repaired. Bus replacements are being provided on the route.

The operator said talks would resume today, 'where we are hoping to resolve the issue'.

The outstanding points of dispute concern drivers' terms and conditions rather than pay. New pay rates have already been agreed and will amount to a rise of 6 per cent over the next three years.

Aslef national organiser Simon Weller said: "We are prepared to move. We hope they are as well."

He described Monday's walkout as the 'action of last resort', adding: “Our members don’t want to lose a day’s pay and we don’t want to inconvenience the public but we felt we had to take this action to get our point across. We now want to reach an agreement as we want to avoid further action. I am positive a deal can be reached.”

However, although services are running again an overtime ban is continuing, and ATW warned that some services could still be affected by this.