UP to 50 per cent of First Capital Trains have been cancelled on the Thameslink line through St Albans, Harpenden and Radlett today as a result of drivers refusing to work overtime and on rest days. The train company has timetabled the cuts for today and

UP to 50 per cent of First Capital Trains have been cancelled on the Thameslink line through St Albans, Harpenden and Radlett today as a result of drivers refusing to work overtime and on rest days.

The train company has timetabled the cuts for today and tomorrow as the row, which could lead to a ballot for strike action, escalates.

St Albans MP Anne Main raised the problems in the House of Commons last night and is waiting to hear this morning if she can raise it as an Urgent Question in the House of Commons today.

She has been inundated with calls from angry commuters who face yet more disruption.

When she spoke to FCC yesterday she was told that some "certainty" was being added to the timetable only to find that it was a 50 per cent cut in services."

Mrs Main said: "FCC has arbitrarily decided they will not meet the requirements of their franchise and there is a big problem here."

The dispute came about when some drivers refused to work overtime or on rest days when they learned there would be no pay rise this year. Their union ASLEF warned yesterday that they are set to ballot on official strike action.

LATEST CANCELLATIONS FROM FIRST CAPITAL CONNECT

09:40 Bedford to Brighton due 11:54

This train will be cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

09:44 Luton to Sutton Surrey due 11:35

This train will be cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

09:48 Bedford to Elephant & Castle due 11:00

This train will be cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

10:18 Bedford to Elephant & Castle due 11:30

This train will be cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

10:10 Bedford to Brighton due 12:24

This train will be cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

10:40 Bedford to Brighton due 12:54

This train will be cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

10:44 Luton to Sutton Surrey due 12:35

This train will be cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

11:10 Bedford to Brighton due 13:24

This train will be cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

11:40 Bedford to Brighton due 13:54

This train will be cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

11:44 Luton to Sutton Surrey due 13:35

This train will be cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

10:14 St Albans City to Sutton Surrey due 11:36

This train will be cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

11:13 St Albans City to Sutton Surrey due 12:36

This train will be cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

12:10 Bedford to Brighton due 14:25

This train will be cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

12:40 Bedford to Brighton due 14:54

This train will be cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

13:10 Bedford to Brighton due 15:24

This train will be cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

13:40 Bedford to Brighton due 15:54

This train will be cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

14:10 Bedford to Brighton due 16:25

This train will be cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

12:13 St Albans City to Sutton Surrey due 13:36

This train will be cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

12:44 Luton to Sutton Surrey due 14:35

This train will be cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

13:44 Luton to Sutton Surrey due 15:35

This train will be cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

13:13 St Albans City to Sutton Surrey due 14:36

This train will be cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

14:13 St Albans City to Sutton Surrey due 15:36

This train will be cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

14:40 Bedford to Brighton due 16:55

This train will be cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

15:10 Bedford to Brighton due 17:27

This train will be cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

15:13 St Albans City to Sutton Surrey due 16:36

This train will be cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

17:38 Kentish Town to Three Bridges due 18:55

This train will be cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

16:13 St Albans City to Sutton Surrey due 17:37

This train will be cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

17:18 St Albans City to Sutton Surrey due 18:39

This train will be cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

18:02 St Albans City to Sutton Surrey due 19:39

This train will be cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

14:44 Luton to Sutton Surrey due 16:35

This train will be cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

15:44 Luton to Sutton Surrey due 17:39

This train will be cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

16:44 Luton to Sutton Surrey due 18:31

This train will be cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

17:34 Bedford to Brighton due 20:00

This train will be cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

18:10 Bedford to Brighton due 20:30

This train will be cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

21:50 Bedford to St Pancras International due 22:52

This train will be cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

18:02 Luton to Sutton Surrey due 19:36

This train will be cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

18:42 Bedford to Brighton due 20:58

This train will be cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

19:16 St Albans City to Sutton Surrey due 20:36

This train will be cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

18:30 Bedford to Sutton Surrey due 20:35

This train will be cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.