Walkouts by Avanti West Coast train managers planned for the next two Sundays have been suspended, to allow what their union the RMT is describing as ‘intensive talks’.

Strikes were originally called on 22, 23 and 29 December in a dispute over pay for rest day working, but after Avanti made a new offer those strikes had been suspended while a ballot was held.

However,  83 per cent of those voting rejected the operator’s revised offer, and new strikes were called on New Year’s Eve and 2 January, and also on every Sunday from 12 January to 25 May.

The RMT had said ‘sustained’ action was now ‘the only way to focus management’s minds on reaching a negotiated settlement’, but the strikes on 19 and 26 January have now been called off for the new talks, although strikes are still on the agenda from 2 February to 25 May.

The RMT said: ‘This suspension reflects our good will and commitment to finding a resolution to this rest day working dispute.

‘We are responding to overtures from Avanti and hope meaningful progress towards a negotiated settlement can be made during these talks.’

Avanti West Coast said: ‘We’re pleased that the RMT has called off its strike action for Avanti West Coast on Sundays 19 and 26 January. Due to the short notice, it’s not possible to fully restore our timetable for 19 January, so a reduced service will still run. We’re working hard to run as many additional trains as possible, so please check before you travel on the day itself.

‘On 26 January, we’ll now run our planned timetable – though this is still reduced due to engineering work.’