A last-ditch High Court appeal has led to the postponement of next week’s rail strike.

Plans for the fist nationwide walk out across Britain’s rail network in 16 years were scotched today after Judge Mrs Justice Sharp issued an injunction following errors in the Rail Maritime and Transport Union’s ballot for action.

Thousands of signal workers were expected to down tools from Tuesday to Friday causing chaos across all of the country’s rail routes.

South London’s train operators are now anticipating a full and uninterrupted service for the duration of next week.

South West Trains managing director Andy Pitt said: :”This is great news for our passengers, and we are extremely pleased that we can re-instate our full timetable on all of these days."

Network Rail head of operations and customer service, Robin Gisby said: ”This is good news for the millions of passengers who rely on us every day, and for our freight users and for the country as a whole.

“A dispute with the unions remains however, and we have a responsibility to our people to continue talking to the unions to find a settlement that works for us all.” He added that future industrial action is likely in the coming weeks.