Passengers travelling to Bristol Airport by rail have been issued a warning ahead of planned industrial action. It is set to be the biggest rail strike in more than 30 years.
Rail Union RMT is planning to strike this week between June 21 and 25 meaning there will be a significantly reduced timetable in the Bristol area and across the country. The Rail, Maritime and Transport workers’ union (RMT) confirmed on Saturday (June 18) that talks have failed to reach an amicable conclusion in a dispute over pay, jobs and conditions, meaning that strike action will go ahead.
On Twitter, Bristol Airport advised: "We are advising customers to leave additional time for their journeys to and from Bristol Airport from 21 - 25 June due to the planned National Rail Strikes. It's advised to check before you travel."
Also see: Rail strikes: When are they in South West and which services are affected?
Three 24-hour strikes at Network Rail and 13 train operators are planned on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, as well as on London Underground on Tuesday. About 40,000 workers are expected to take part while Great Western Rail (GWR) has announced which routes will be affected in the South West, involving priority between London Paddington and Castle Cary for Glastonbury Festival-goers.
The rail company has said: "GWR will operate as many trains as possible during the strike action however, most train services will be affected on the days announced. Due to the timing of the strike action, services in between strike days will also be affected.
"Where we are able to run services, they are expected to be extremely busy. We are not able to provide bus replacement services."
Services will start later and finish earlier throughout the week. On strike days, an extremely limited service will operate between 07.30am and 6.30pm. On non-strike days, no services will run before 7am.
A special timetable will be in operation from June 20 to 26. Several operators including GWR have warned passengers to only travel by rail unless absolutely necessary.
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