Brighton Pride: Organisers reassure visitors over rail disruption

Train union Aslef announced that drivers will begin a week-long ban on working overtime on much of the UK’s rail network, including services across Sussex, from July 31 to August 5.

The ban aims to “seriously disrupt services” as part of an ongoing national dispute over pay.

It follows three previous week-long overtime bans, with one currently taking place this week.

The action planned for the start of next month will clash with the first day of Pride festivities in Brighton and Hove, including the annual parade through the city and a performance by Black Eyed Peas in Preston Park.

General secretary of Aslef Mick Whelan said: “We don’t want to take this action, but the blame lies with the train companies and the government which stands behind them, which refuse to sit down and talk to us and have not made a fair and sensible pay offer to train drivers who have not had one for years, while prices have soared in that time by more than 12 per cent.

“We want a resolution. That’s why we are taking this action, to try to bring things to a head. Then I can concentrate on my day job working with others in the industry to rebuild Britain’s railways for passengers, for business and for this country.”

Pride organisers have said that they are “in communication with all transport providers in and out of the city”.

A spokesman for Brighton Pride said: “From our current understanding, this is an extension of the ongoing overtime ban which has been running for several weeks.

“We will be in communication with Govia Thameslink Railway to understand any impact on services in the lead-up to and over Pride weekend.

“We will update visitors once we have any further information.”

The announcement comes after plans were announced for additional services to run during Pride weekend to take crowds to and from events in Brighton.

Govia Thameslink Railway and Brighton and Hove City Council were approached for comment.