Andy Munns
Train operator Great Western Railway is warning customers travelling to Christmas markets and major sporting events this coming Saturday to avoid taking the train.
Strike action by the train drivers’ union Aslef at 12 train companies, including GWR, means only an extremely reduced service will operate on a limited number of routes on Saturday, 26 November. Where trains are operating, they will start later and finish earlier, and the disruption will continue into Sunday, 27 November.
As a result of the strike, no GWR services will run through Salisbury. South Western Railway will be running a normal timetable, however.
This means that no trains will serve Bath Spa for the opening Saturday of the famous Christmas market, and there will be no trains into or out of Cardiff for Wales’ Autumn International against Australia.
Fans heading to Twickenham as England take on South Africa, for Exeter Chiefs’ Premiership Rugby Cup clash with Bath, and to Newbury for the Coral Gold Cup Day are also being warned that there will be no GWR trains available and they will need to seek alternative ways to travel.
Customers who have already purchased tickets for strike days can claim a full refund or amend their ticket; those who travel and are delayed may be entitled to delay repay compensation if they are delayed by 15 minutes or more. Season-ticket holders can apply for compensation through the Delay Repay scheme.
To help customers, tickets will be valid for travel on alternative days as follows:
- Tickets for travel on Saturday, 26 November are valid for travel on 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29 November
- Tickets for travel on Sunday, 27 November are valid for travel on 28 and 29 November
On Sunday 27 November trains will continue to be disrupted. There will be some short-notice alterations and cancellations and a later start to services in the morning. Trains that are operating will be extremely busy. Please check before you travel.
For the latest information and to check your journey visit GWR.com/strike
