The threat of a national rail strike has been averted after unions accepted a two-year pay deal.

Network Rail’s offer came after industrial action, threatened for earlier this month, was called off when a revised offer was made.

The dispute had threatened to trigger wide-scale industrial action which rail users feared could halt the majority of services for as much as two days.

Members of the RMT, TSSA and Unite unions have voted overwhelmingly to accept the offer, which include a two per cent pay rise and a pay increase in line with RPI inflation next year.

They have also been given assurances that there will be no compulsory redundancies up to the the end of next year.

Mark Carne, Network Rail chief executive, said it had been “a difficult period of uncertainty for our employees and for the people and businesses that depend on us”.

“What has been clear to me throughout these negotiations is the passion we all share for the railway.

“I’m confident we will all now move forward together, translating that passion into improvements that will drive up our performance and deliver a better service for our customers.”

Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) members voted to accept the deal by 7,449 votes to 1,598.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “It just goes to show what can be achieved when members stand united and are prepared to fight for decent pay and conditions.”