Rail strikes called for this month have been cancelled as a mark of respect to Her Majesty the Queen, who died at Balmoral Castle yesterday afternoon after a short illness.

The RMT, ASLEF and TSSA have called off their planned stoppages, and the Rail Delivery Group said train services would now run normally. The RDG said: ‘The whole railway family is united in sending our condolences to the Royal Family.’

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: ‘RMT joins the whole nation in paying its respects to Queen Elizabeth.

‘We express our deepest condolences to her family, friends and the country.’

London transport commissioner Andy Byford and his colleagues at Transport for London said: ‘It is with great sorrow that we have learnt of the death of Her Majesty The Queen. We send our deepest sympathy to His Majesty The King and all members of the Royal Family.’

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport chief executive Sharon Kindleysides said: ‘We are deeply saddened by Her Majesty’s passing and extend our condolences and deepest sympathy to our Patron, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, and all members of the Royal Family at this sad time. Queen Elizabeth II served the people of this country with dedication and generosity for more than 70 years. Her life of service and dedication has touched so many of us and her reign was one of impact, inspiration and influence.’

Deepest condolences have also been offered to the Royal Family by Railnews managing director David Longstaff.

He added: ‘Everyone at Railnews is deeply grieved. We send our loyal greetings to King Charles at this time of great sadness for the Royal Family, this country and the peoples of the Commonwealth.’