Over 40,000 RMT members across Network Rail and 14 Train Operating Companies will take strike action on on 13, 14, 16 and 17 December and on January 3,4,6 and 7.

There will also be an overtime ban across the railways from 18 December until 2 January, meaning RMT be taking industrial action for four weeks.

The action is set to cause chaos on the country’s rail services over the festive period.

The industrial action was called after talks with the Rail Delivery Group, which represents the Train Operating Companies, broke down.

The RMT said operators have refused to make their “promised written proposals” in the ongoing dispute over jobs, terms and conditions and pay.

Network Rail also declined to make any proposals promised at the conclusion of intensive talks last week, the union added.

RMT’s National Executive Committee met on Tuesday morning and agreed to the series of strikes.

It comes as thousands of commuters face disruption as Abellio bus drivers in south and west London begin 10 days of industrial action over pay.

Almost 1,000 Unite union members at bus garages including Battersea, Hayes, Twickenham and Walworth walked out on Tuesday.

It is impacting around 60 bus routes across the capital, including to and from Heathrow terminals 4 and 5.

Many routes have a reduced or no service.

Further strikes are due to take place on November 25 and 26, as well as on December 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 and 17.

Unite says Abellio failed to “enter into meaningful pay talks”.

The bus company said it had offered to introduce a new pay deal this month.

More follows.