Fifth day of strike action on trains

Commuters on the Newark Castle railway line between Nottingham and Lincoln have experienced disruption for the third week running due to a strike by train drivers.

The drivers' union, Aslef, is taking industrial action today in a dispute over pension contributions. A further strike is planned on Thursday.

Passengers using the East Midlands Trains service between Nottingham and Lincoln are being provided with a replacement bus stopping at both Newark Castle and Newark Northgate stations.

Today will be the fifth day that train drivers have been on strike.

A meeting last week between representatives of East Midlands Trains and Aslef ended without an agreement.

Independent experts have recommended that the company's drivers no longer need to contribute an extra £500 a year to the scheme as previous deficits have been cleared.

But Aslef are unhappy about the reduction of pension contributions in the uncertain economic climate.

East Midlands Trains says it put forward constructive proposals aimed at ending the dispute and reassuring employees on the future of their pensions.

Clare McCartney, the company's human resources director, said: "We have a strong track record of protecting pensions for our people and we are committed to doing so in the future."

Aslef general secretary, Mr Mick Whelan, said he was very disappointed that management had come to the table "without flexibility, without fresh ideas and without serious intent to end the dispute."

He said he would make a full report to his executive committee who would determine how to act most effectively to protect the pensions of union members working for East Midlands Trains.