Planes Trains Automobiles Crisis

Flights cancelled, railways grind to a halt, petrol prices rise again and STILL Transport Secretary Shapps refuses to do anything

- Graham Hiscott And Aletha Adu

MILLIONS of Brits face travel chaos as the biggest rail strike in over 30 years is set to go ahead today.

And thousands more flights are being axed, while fuel prices continue to soar.

But Grant Shapps yesterday snubbed late talks to stop the strikes. Labour said the Transport Secretary "hasn't lifted a finger to resolve this dispute".

STRIKE FORCE.

Misery for millions as train staff walk out. Outrage at Shapps missing last-ditch talks. Flights axed & petrol prices keep on soaring

TODAY'S rail strikes could kick off a summer of discontent that brings misery for millions as thousands more flights are also cancelled and crippling fuel prices continue to soar.

A last-ditch bid to avert the three-day national action by train staff failed after talks between RMT chiefs and train firms collapsed.

Insiders said the union was still in discussions with Network Rail late last night with hopes of reaching a negotiated settlement - although today's walkout is still likely to go ahead.

But it emerged Transport Secretary Grant Shapps did not even attend the talks, with Labour accusing him of standing by and doing nothing while the network is plunged into chaos.