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The TSSA rail union, representing some almost 3,000 rail workers, has announced its withdrawal from industrial action planned for next week.

Talks between Network Rail and the trade unions aimed at resolving the ongoing rail dispute resumed for a third day today at conciliation service ACAS.

A legal challenge to the TSSA union has been issued by Network Rail in an attempt to limit disruption should talks with the unions fail.

A key new section of railway in the north west of England has reopened providing a direct link between Manchester and Burnley for the first time in over 40 years.

Network Rail is to rebuild a large section of the road bridge over Orlando Street in Bolton to ensure it remains fit for use for decades to come.

Mark Carne, Network Rail chief executive, said: “This strike is deliberately timed to cause maximum disruption to families trying to enjoy the half-term break and millions more returning to work after the bank holiday. I find it deplorable that the RMT can hold the travelling public to ransom in this way.

One of Network Rail’s fleet of ‘high output’ machines will begin to upgrade the stretch of railway between Colchester and Shenfield from next week (Monday May 18),  as a major project to improve reliability on the line between London and Norwich enters its next phase.

A major rail development near Stafford is on track after workers built a siding on the existing West Coast main line so materials can be delivered by train.