Passengers on GWR trains will have their journeys impacted this weekend and next week due to industrial action by the RMT, Aslef and the TSSA. The action is planned for Saturday 13, Thursday 18 and Saturday 20 August.
Services on the days immediately after each strike day will also be affected and a reduced temporary timetable has been put in place. On strike days, an extremely limited service will operate between 7am and 6.30pm, with the last trains being much earlier than usual.
GWR has warned passengers that trains will be extremely busy and there will be no service on many routes. Passengers are advised to find alternative travel on those days.
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A full list of the affected routes is available below. The AA has also warned that drivers should take extra care this Saturday, August 13 as the Met Office's Amber weather warning comes into force on Saturday.
If you're using your car rather than getting the train during the strikes, you should make sure that your vehicle's cooling system is in good shape by getting a mechanic to check it. The AA also advises checking your tires before setting off, as the hot weather will make any existing damage or pressure issues worse and increase the risk of a blowout.
The full list of disrupted rail services from August 12 to August 21
Friday, August 12
Trains will run as planned but will be busy, and with some minor changes to late night services. Please check before you travel. Those travelling to the Boardmasters Festival can check their journey here.
Saturday, August 13
An extremely limited service will only operate on the routes below. Services will start later and finish much earlier than normal.
Bristol Temple Meads to London Paddington
Reading to Oxford
Reading to Basingstoke
No other GWR services will run.
Sunday, August 14
Trains will continue to be severely disrupted, especially on long-distance intercity routes, please make alternative travel arrangements and only travel if absolutely necessary. There will be no service on the following route:
- Oxford to Worcester/Hereford
A reduced service frequency will operate on other long-distance routes:
London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads
London Paddington to Swansea
London Paddington to Plymouth/Penzance (inc via the Kennet Valley)
London Paddington to Oxford
Local stopping services will operate. Please check before you travel.
Monday, August 15
A normal timetable will operate.
Tuesday, August 16
A normal timetable will operate.
Wednesday, August 17
Trains will run as planned with some minor changes to late night services. Please check before you travel.
Thursday, August 18
A significantly limited service will operate please make alternative travel arrangements and only travel if absolutely necessary. No rail services will operate on the following routes:
All lines in Cornwall, including all branch lines
West of Newton Abbot (change at Exeter) towards Plymouth/Cornwall (due to no contingency signallers)
All branch lines in Devon (Barnstaple, Exmouth, Paignton, Okehampton)
South Wales main line (Carmarthen/Swansea to Cardiff Central)
Berks & Hants line (Reading to Taunton via Castle Cary)
Wessex main line (Bath Spa to Portsmouth Harbour)
Heart of Wessex line (Westbury to Weymouth)
TransWilts line (Swindonto Westbury via Melksham)
Severn Beach line (Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach)
North Cotswolds line (Hereford/Worcester to Oxford)
South Cotswolds line (Cheltenham Spa to Swindon)
Worcester/Gloucester
Greenford branch line
North Downs line (Reading to Gatwick Airport)
Please check before you travel.
Friday, August 19
Trains will continue to be disrupted, please make alternative travel arrangements and only travel if absolutely necessary. Trains will start later and there will be a reduced level of service throughout the day. Please check before you travel.
Saturday, August 20
An extremely limited service will operate. Services will start later and finish much earlier than normal.
No rail services will operate on the following routes:
- Between Bristol Temple Meads to London Paddington
- Between Cardiff and Bath
- Between Bristol and Gloucester
- Between Bristol and Exeter
- All lines in Cornwall, including all branch lines
- West of Newton Abbot (change at Exeter) towards Plymouth/Cornwall
- All branch lines in Devon (Barnstaple, Exmouth, Paignton, Okehampton)
- South Wales main line (Carmarthen/Swansea to Cardiff Central)
- Berks & Hants line (Reading to Taunton via Castle Cary)
- Wessex main line (Bath Spa to Portsmouth Harbour)
- Heart of Wessex line (Westbury to Weymouth)
- TransWilts line (Swindon to Westbury via Melksham)
- Severn Beach line (Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach)
- North Cotswolds line (Hereford/Worcester to Oxford)
- South Cotswolds line (Cheltenham Spa to Swindon)
- Worcester/Gloucester
- Greenford branch line
- North Downs line (Reading to Gatwick Airport)
Sunday, August 21
Trains will start later, however a normal level of service is expected. Please check before you travel.
How to claim a refund, change your ticket or apply for delay repay
On how to get a refund if your travel is delayed, GWR said: "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.
"Where the company can run trains, they are expected to be extremely busy. They are not able to provide bus replacement services."
Will your ticket be accepted on a different train?
On ticket acceptance, GWR said: "To help customers, GWR is allowing people with tickets for travel on Saturday, August 13 to be able to travel on the day before and up to and including Tuesday, August 16. People with tickets for travel on Thursday, August 18 and Saturday, August 20 can travel on the day before and up to and including Tuesday, August 23.
"Those travelling during the latter half of this week are also being reminded of the weather forecast and advised to check their journeys and ensure they are well-prepared for the extreme conditions – wearing cool clothes, taking handheld fans and ensuring they have plenty of water to drink."
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