The RMT has called a further 24-hour strike on 8 October, as the deadlock over railway pay continues.

The new transport secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan has been in discussions with the leaders of the RMT, ASLEF and TSSA, which was something her predecessor Grant Shapps had refused to do, but there are no signs of a breakthrough in the dispute.

The RMT will be calling out 40,000 workers at Network Rail and 15 train operators. The walkout will follow strikes by both ASLEF and the RMT on 1 October, and another ASLEF drivers’ stoppage on 5 October.

The unions had suspended industrial action while the nation was mourning the Queen.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said he was encouraged by the willingness of the new transport secretary to hold direct talks.

‘We welcome this more positive approach from the government to engage with us as a first step to finding a suitable settlement,’ he said.

He continued: ‘However, as no new offer has been tabled, our members have no choice but to continue this strike action.

‘We will continue to negotiate in good faith, but the employers and government need to understand our industrial campaign will continue for as long as it takes.’