UK rail strikes could have a devastating impact on the live sector’s “fragile” recovery, impacting major events such as the Glastonbury Festival.
The RMT rail union Rail has launched three days of national strike action this month in what will be the biggest dispute across the railway network since 1989. The action – on June 21, 23 and 25 – will see 50,000 railway workers walkout over pay, staffing and safety concerns.
As well as impacting commuters, the strikes will also affect those attending live events, with a Ticketmaster study from 2019 finding that some 37% of people travel by train to festivals.
The strike is scheduled to come in the same week as Glastonbury, major concerts featuring Ed Sheeran, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Elton John and the Rolling Stones and other smaller events across the country.
Jon Collins, the chief executive of the LIVE trade group, said: “While we recognise the legitimacy of this action, a large proportion of live music fans, artists and staff are completely reliant on the rail network to get them to events safely.
“Like the rail sector, our industry remains incredibly fragile post pandemic and this action threatens several large gigs and festivals, many of which are back up and running for the first time in two years. We urge both Government and the RMT to get back around the table and resolve the dispute before the proposed disruption further damages the rest of the UK economy.”
Network Rail said it is continuing discussions with the RMT over the course of the next two weeks before the first planned strike day.
Paul Reed, the chief executive of the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF), said the strike action will impact workers as well as event-goers.
He added: “Rail disruption at this time will negatively affect thousands of other workers and businesses across the festival industry.
“While a lot of attention is focused on disruption to large events, there are numerous small and medium sized independent festivals across the country that will be affected. These festivals are already facing unprecedented challenges and many have made great efforts to incentivise audiences to use public transport to get to their events in order to reduce travel emissions.”
Michael Kill, chief executive of Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), said the action could potentially put event-goers and clubbers at risk.
“The announcement of UK wide train strikes has sent a shockwave throughout the industry, over concerns for staff and public safety, and the potential impact on trade,” Kill said.
“Limited Rail services across the UK will leave many stranded at night, compromising safety with very few alternative transport services available.”
“The transport infrastructure within the night-time economy is vitally important to our recovery post pandemic, particularly as we move into peak summer season for festival and events, and a critical time for tourism, who rely heavily on public transport.”
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