Extremely limited train service tomorrow as strike action continues
Great Western Railway is warning it won’t operate any long-distance services, direct trains between London Paddington and Reading nor trains on many other parts of its network tomorrow.
The Aslef union has announced strike action that will affect Great Western Railway, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry and other train operators on Wednesday 8 May.
A reduced, revised timetable will operate across several train operators, including GWR. Many parts of the GWR network will have no service at all and trains that are running will only be operating for a limited period during the day.
Only a very limited service will run on the following GWR routes, between 0700 and around 1900:
- Reading and Oxford
- Reading and Basingstoke
- Reading and Redhill (peak time only)
- Reading and Newbury
- Westbury and Swindon (peak time only)
- Cardiff and Bristol
- Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple
- Exeter St Davids and Exmouth (calling at Exeter Central, Digby and Topsham only)
- Penzance/St Erth and St Ives (09:30 to 12:30 and 15:30 to 19:00)
- Plymouth and Gunnislake
Due to engineering works, there will be no GWR trains between London Paddington and Reading. No long-distance services will operate on the GWR network, and strike action will also affect other operators.
In addition, there could be further disruption from Monday 6 to Saturday 11 May due to industrial action. This is likely to cause some short-notice alterations and cancellations, especially at the weekend or late at night.
On the days after strikes, services could also be affected by a limited number of short-notice cancellations and alterations. If you intend to travel where trains are running, you are warned to check both outward and return journeys before you travel.
Where trains can run, they are expected to be extremely busy and bus replacement services are not able to be provided.
Customers who purchased tickets but do not travel 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.
To help customers, tickets for strike days will be valid for travel on alternative days on GWR services, as follows:
- Tickets for Tuesday 7 May to Thursday 9 May can be used the day before or up to and including Monday 13 May.
Contact Information
Notes to editors
Notes to editors
First Greater Western Limited, trading as “Great Western Railway” (GWR), operates trains across the Great Western franchise area, which includes South Wales, the West Country, the Cotswolds, across southern England and into London. GWR provides high speed, commuter, regional and branch line train services, and before the covid-19 pandemic helped over 100 million passengers reach their destinations every year. GWR has been awarded a National Rail Contract to continue operating the Great Western network, which shall run up to 21 June 2025, with the potential for a further three years at the Secretary of State’s discretion. Find out more here: https://www.gwr.com/about-us