Most train services should return to normal by lunchtime on Sunday, after four weeks of disruption resulting from industrial action, including an RMT overtime ban at train operators over the festive period.

The leaders of both unions, along with rail industry bosses, will meet the rail minister, Huw Merriman, on Monday, after the Department for Transport promised to help “facilitate” an agreement in the long-running dispute over pay and conditions.

However, the government has meanwhile heightened tensions by pledging to legislate for even more restrictive strike laws, including the introduction of minimum service levels during rail strikes.

RMT and Aslef members recently voted to extend the mandate for industrial action for a further six months.

Mick Whelan, the general secretary of Aslef, said on Thursday that it was “inevitable” that further strikes would be held unless the deadlock was broken.