Rail strikes are disrupting a “vital service” for patients in need of medical care, which Ms Quick said they “do not understand”. He said he was spending “sleepless nights” worrying that industrial action could continue until July and that Julian could not have his explorations.
“I’ve spent the last nine months in this stressful whirlwind, and hopefully that’s some of the answers,” he said.
The strike is “completely selfish”
A cancer patient, who asked not to be named, said she may not be able to attend her chemotherapy treatment, scheduled for June 21 at Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford.
“There are no trains running on that line that day, not even a bus replacement service,” he told The Telegraph.
“I’m very angry about that. Compared to me [the train drivers] “We’re in a cost-of-living crisis, we’re still beating Covid, and I think he’s completely selfish.”
Other distressed patients used social media to share stories of canceled appointments and altered lives.
Meanwhile, industry leaders have warned that strikes will leave airports overflowing with stranded passengers who have been cut off from public transport.
Limited options for getting home
After months of interrupted travel after the return of international travel, airports now face the prospect that thousands of people will land in the country with limited options to return home. Heathrow is planning an additional police presence in its courtyards and at key junctions to deal with the influx.
Gatwick said he was “concerned about passengers arriving at the airport who may not be aware of the strikes. We expect a considerable disruption. We can’t sugar it.”
Both airports have held talks with bus companies about the possibility of additional services, but “were not very successful” because much of the surplus capacity is used to transport attendees to the Glastonbury Festival, which begins on 22 June.
There are fears that other major events will have to be canceled. Organizers of the Junction 2 music festival, to be held in Trent Park in north London this weekend, were forced to cancel due to night strikes in Tfl. Enfield Council said it would be impossible to safely disperse thousands of attendees to the venue’s festival.
The wider hospitality and events sector will also be under pressure, as people are likely to avoid traveling to city centers. The chaos on the railway routes will also mean that many travelers will be forced to find alternative routes to work, threatening to increase congestion on the rural road network. Companies have already started telling employees to work from home.
Operating companies ask passengers to travel only if absolutely necessary, as train services are being reduced to just 4,500, less than a quarter of the usual 20,000 provided each day.