Train passengers in Shropshire could face chaos over the busy Christmas period after two rail disputes over pay and conditions erupted, which will lead to drivers striking.

Drivers on London Midland Trains have announced they will strike on December 23, with drivers for Arriva Trains Wales also voting for a walk-out, although no date has been set.

London Midland operates services between Birmingham and Shrewsbury, calling at stations including Albrighton, Cosford, Shifnal, Telford Central, Oakengates and Wellington.

Union chiefs at Aslef – the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen – said action would go ahead later this month after members backed a campaign of industrial action.

Aslef official Mick Whelan claimed the situation was “ludicrous” with drivers’ pay packets varying by more than £1,000.

He said: “London Midland is made up of two previous franchises, Silverlink and Central Trains.

“We have been negotiating for three years to harmonise the conditions of drivers from the two companies – over 600 in all – but our efforts have been resisted by management all the way.

“Some drivers are being paid £1,200 less than other drivers for doing exactly the same job. It is a ludicrous situation and we will be taking strike action to demonstrate the strength of feeling of our membership at London Midland.”

Meanwhile, drivers on Arriva Trains Wales, which operates Shrewsbury and Gobowen stations, have voted overwhelmingly for strike action.

The Rail Maritime and Transport union said its members backed industrial action by 85 per cent meaning services Arriva Trains Wales runs on the Shrewsbury to Chester line and in south Shropshire could be hit.

General secretary Bob Crow said: “RMT has rejected a paltry offer from the company that would have left our members out of pocket and which was loaded with strings. Our members would have ended up with inferior working conditions for a de facto pay cut.

“Arriva Trains Wales have shown us in the clearest possible terms that they have no wish to properly reward the hard work and loyalty to the staff and are motivated solely by the drive for bigger profits to line the pockets of the shareholders.

“That is why we have balloted for industrial action and why our members have delivered this overwhelming mandate.”

By Sam Pinnington