THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE travelling between the Republic of Ireland and the UK – including Northern Ireland – are facing severe disruptions today as a general strike hit bus, rail and air services.
Irish Rail has announced that all its cross-border services are suspended, with trains running north from Dublin only as far as Dundalk. The rail operator in the North, Translink, is among the organisations taking part in the strike.
There are also disruptions expected to bus services running across the border. Bus Eireann advised passengers to only travel if necessary, saying it would aim to operate its cross-border services – which are jointly run with Translink – but there could be last-minute changes. Several services have been cancelled.
Passengers flying internationally to the UK have been advised to expect delays at immigration, as airports struggle to staff border controls. The BBC reports that the strike by UK Border Agency officials could mean passengers waiting for “hours” at London Heathrow.
However, Aer Lingus said it hoped its passengers would be largely unaffected as the Common Travel Area arrangement means travellers from Ireland do not have to pass through border controls.
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