TRAIN users at Enfield Town station have been mainly unsympathetic about today's strike by train drivers and platform staff.

The 48-hour strike over pay by members of the ASLEF and RMT unions who work for National Express East Anglia started at one minute past midnight today.

Office worker Michelle Healy, of Apple Grove, Enfield, said: "I'm totally fed up because I get the Victoria line and they're not on strike but the trains are.

"But I'm not going to let them beat me I'm going to take the Picadilly line from Oakwood.

"My boss offered me the day off but I'm sick of these people holding us to ransom. From what I read in the paper they're being offered above inflation pay rises, that's more than the rest of us are."

National Express claimed it has offered staff above-inflation pay rises but the strikers dispute this. The action means a total shut down on the Liverpool Street to Enfield Town and the Liverpool Street to Hertford East lines.

The strike will affect people using Enfield Town, Bush Hill Park, Southbury, Turkey Street, Edmonton Green, Silver Street, Enfield Lock, Brimsdown, Ponders End and Angel Road stations.

"I think it's ridiculous because every minute there's a strike for some form of travel. We pay full fare but we don't get the service," said Doris Hassan, 51 of Tynemouth Drive, Enfield, who works with leaseholders in the housing sector.

"I didn't get any payrise with the recession I think now everyone has to work with their companies.

"I know the managers get huge bonuses but the drivers should put up with it for our sakes."

Truck driver Richard Robertson, 56, said he thought details such as pay should have been thrashed out during negotiations.

Mr Robertson, of Durban Road, Tottenham, normally travels from White Hart Lane to Seven Sisters before getting the Victoria Line to Vauxhall.

"It puts people days really out of joint, I'll have to get up earlier and get the bus."

But other travellers were more sympathetic.

Secretary Jan Buckley of Lancaster Road, said: "It's inconvenient but I can understand why they're striking because every penny counts at the moment.

"I work in Kings Cross and I'm going to go to Gordon Hill and get train to Finsbury Park.

"It will be busy but it's just lucky they have another station in the area."

But Andrew Chivers, managing director of National Express East Anglia said: “The unions’ demands are totally unrealistic, especially in this current economic climate.

“We have offered salary increases above the rate of inflation, and remain available at any time for discussions to reach a sensible, affordable and fair agreement.

“Strike action is unnecessary, simply not the solution and I would like to apologise to our customers.”

More details of alternative journey options are available on the National Rail Enquiries website at nationalrail.co.uk.

National Express East Anglia will provide further updates, including details of train services which will run on the strike days, on their website at: nationalexpresseastanglia.com