ASLEF has cancelled five days of drivers’ strikes on LNER from 5 to 9 February, apparently because LNER has said it will not be applying the new law which enforces minimum service levels during industrial action.

Rail minister Huw Merriman had said the government hoped the law would be used, but that it was ‘a matter for the employers’.

State-owned LNER said: ‘We welcome news that the threat of extended disruption to our services has been lifted.

‘We encourage ASLEF to work with us to find a way to end this long running dispute which only damages the rail industry.’

Walkouts by ASLEF which had already been called at different English operators from day to day between 30 January and 5 February in its dispute over pay will still be going ahead.

As part of this series of walkouts, there will be a one-day strike by ASLEF drivers at LNER on 2 February, while an overtime ban will also apply at all the affected operators from 29 January until 6 February, which could cause some disruption if drivers are not available for shifts as a result.