Autumn Internationals: GWR issues important travel advice to rugby fans

Industrial action involving Network Rail signallers will impact fans attending Wales vs Georgia at the Principality Stadium, and England vs New Zealand at Twickenham.

Wales vs Georgia – Saturday 19 November – 1300 kick-off

Supporters using GWR services should board trains immediately after the match to ensure homeward journeys to England.

GWR will only be able to operate a reduced service, with a queuing system in place and all journeys east of Cardiff having to be completed by 1830. That means last trains to London, Reading and Bristol will leave much earlier usual – the last train to London leaves at 1623.

With the queuing system in place at Cardiff Central, supporters are being told to make their way to the station as soon as possible immediately after the match, where there will be extra GWR services available.

Trains will run hourly from Cardiff to Swansea up to 2140 as these are unaffected by strike action.

Transport for Wales is unaffected and will operate its normal timetables.

GWR Director of Performance and Train Service Delivery, Daryn McCombe, said:

“If you’re travelling back towards London and Bristol, there is only a limited time that we’ll be able to get you home after the match.

“The temptation might be to stay behind for some food and drink, but with a queueing system in place, a limited number of trains and a limited operating window, we’d encourage supporters to make their way to the station straight after the match to avoid missing the trains we are able to operate towards London and Bristol.”

England vs New Zealand – Saturday 19 November – 1730 kick-off

Supporters travelling to Twickenham should not use Great Western Railway as there are no services scheduled to run after the match.

This affects all train journeys through Reading station and GWR is not able to provide rail replacement bus services. Fans should therefore make alternative travel arrangements.

South Western Railway (SWR) is similarly advising passengers not to travel to the match by train from Reading, Earley, Winnersh or Winnersh Triangle stations. Services to the match from other stations on the SWR network will be unaffected.

Daryn said:

“All journeys within the signalling area affected by strike action need to be completed by 1830, meaning fans using GWR services will not be able to get home. We are therefore asking supporters to make alternative arrangements to get to and from Twickenham.”

Supporters who have already purchased tickets for travel on the day of the match can claim a full refund or travel on alternative days.

For the latest information and to check your journey visit GWR.com/strike