Train drivers to walk out for eight weeks

Drivers from Hull Trains are to walk out for eight weeks, a union has said.

Aslef said workers would stage a fresh round of strikes between 31 March and 24 May.

The union has claimed a driver was sacked for reporting concerns about fatigue, which Hull Trains has denied.

Hull Trains said it was "disappointed to receive notice of further strike action" and safety was its "number one priority".

Aslef had previously called strikes on Fridays and Saturdays during March and April, but the BBC understands the union decided to change its approach because most services were still operating.

The union said the fresh round of strikes would "cause serious disruption on the rail network".

Mick Whelan, the Aslef general secretary, said those working on the railway "should be able to report a safety concerns without fearing they will be penalised, punished, or lose their livelihood".

"This is a moral issue because we have a culture on the railway designed to keep everyone safe," he added.

Hull Trains operates services between Hull and London King's Cross, with stops at stations including Selby, Doncaster, Retford and Grantham.

A spokesperson for Hull Trains said: "Safety will always remain our number one priority.

"We are currently reviewing the impact of these latest proposed strike action dates and any changes to services will be communicated in due course."

Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.