Three days of rail strikes are called off – avoiding a week of chaos that was set to start tomorrow

A STRING of train strikes that threatened to cripple most of Britain's rail network from tomorrow have been called off.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union made the U-turn today after holding crunch talks with rail chiefs.

It confirmed had secured "unconditional" talks on Network Rail and the promise of a pay offer from the train operating companies.

The planned action would have caused travel chaos for millions heading to Bonfire Night celebrations across the country.

Just 20 per cent of services were due to run tomorrow with train operator such as Chiltern Railways, South Easter and Avanti West Coast affected.

Planned 24-hour walkouts for next Monday and Wednesday have also been called off.

But Network Rail warned the "very late notice" means services tomorrow will remain "extremely limited".

While the national rail strikes on November 5, 7, and 9 have been called off, Tube strikes are set to go ahead on Thursday November 10.

Thursday’s Tube strike is the latest in a series that began in the summer, alongside national rail strikes that also impacted London’s Underground and Overground services.

Network Rail's chief negotiator Tim Shoveller warned there would be "limited ability to change the 'strike timetable' for Monday".

He added: "Our advice remains to please check before you travel and on Saturday and Monday and only travel by rail if absolutely necessary."

It comes after a series of train strikes were held earlier this year in a long-running row over jobs, pay and conditions.

The RMT confirmed the latest action had been called off but refused to rule out any future strikes.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: "The threat of strike action and our strongly supported industrial campaign has made the rail employers see sense.

"We have always wanted to secure a negotiated settlement and that is what we will continue to push for in this next phase of intensive talks.

"Our priority is our members, and we are working towards securing a deal on job security, a decent pay rise and good working conditions.

"Our re-ballot remains live and if we have to take strike action during the next six months to secure a deal, we will."