Gatwick line to be hit

Christmas and New Year holidaymakers using Gatwick Airport face chaos after unions ordered four 24-hour strikes on the Gatwick Express.

The strikes, which will also hit commuters between Victoria and Gatwick, have been timed to cause as much disruption as possible with stoppages on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. The first two will be on Friday 28 November and Monday 8 December. The dispute is over pay.

Today Steve Grant, Aslef's London district secretary, said: "We are disappointed to have reached an agreement in principle with local managers only to have it rejected by owners National Express. Gatwick Express drivers are among the lowest paid." A strike ballot was "overwhelmingly" in favour of action, he said.