Andy Munns
South Western Railway (SWR) and Great Western Railway (GWR) have published their strike day service levels for Saturday 1 October and Wednesday 5th October.
There are three separate unions involved in these ongoing disputes, ASLEF which mainly represent drivers. The RMT represent many grades of railway staff across train companies and network rail. Finally, TSSA, also represents multiple job types on the railway.
The ALSELF strikes only affect GWR services in our local, whereas RMT and, to a lesser extent, TSSA affect both GWR and SWR services as well as roles like signallers and track maintenance staff.
All three unions are striking on Saturday 1st October. This means there will be no train services through Salisbury on that day.
Services will start much later than usual on Sunday 2nd October because of the knock-on effect of the strikes. There may also be some late-night alterations to services on Friday 30th September.
SWR’s reduced timetable will run from 07:15 to 18:30 on Saturday 1 October, and will consist of:
• Two trains per hour in each direction between London Waterloo and Feltham
• Two semi-fast trains per hour in each direction between London Waterloo and Basingstoke
• Four trains per hour in each direction between London Waterloo and Woking
• Two fast trains per hour in each direction between London Waterloo and Southampton Central
ASLEF are also striking on Wednesday 5th October. This will mean there are no GWR services through Salisbury on this day.
As with the other strike days, the preceding days will end earlier. The following day services will start later too.
South Western Railway’s Performance and Planning Director, Steve Tyler, said:
“I’m sorry that due to strike action we must urge our customers to only travel if absolutely necessary on Saturday 1 October and Sunday 2 October. Those needing to travel should seek to do so by other means.
“Large parts of our network will be closed on the strike day and there will be a late start up on the morning after. Those who must travel are urged to carefully check the times of first and last trains and avoid them if possible as they are likely to be very busy.
“We are grateful to our customers for their continued cooperation, patience, and understanding as the rail industry works to bring this damaging nationwide strike action to an end.”
Customers are urged to check the SWR website for the latest information here. GWR passengers can check for travel information here.
Both GWR and SWR are advising passengers against travelling on these days.
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