The RMT has suspended the strikes at 14 train operators in England which it had called for 30 March and 1 April.

The move came last night after the Rail Delivery Group had tabled a new offer which the RMT said ‘could lead to a resolution to resolve the current national rail dispute’.

The union said further talks will now be held. The suspension of the two 24-hour strikes has followed the ending of the RMT dispute with Network Rail, after its members had voted to accept a new offer.

The possibility of a settlement has been welcomed by the Rail Delivery Group and the Department for Transport.

The DfT said: ‘This marks a positive step and takes us closer to resolving this dispute.

‘After Network Rail employees overwhelmingly voted to accept a similar pay offer earlier this week, we’re once again asking the RMT executive to do the right thing and put this fair and reasonable offer to its members, giving them the pay rise they deserve and helping us end this dispute.’

The RDG added: ‘We are now jointly focused on working constructively towards a settlement to this dispute, which will mean we can do what we have always wanted to do – give our people a pay rise and help secure the long-term future of the railway with rewarding careers for all those who work on it.’