Great Western Railway will run 'very limited service' on some routes as rail strikes take place this weekend
There will be further train strikes beginning this weekend.
Trade unions have announced industrial action at a number of train companies including Great Western Railway (GWR) and Network Rail.
The strike action will affect trains running in parts of West Berkshire.
No trains will be stopping in Theale, Aldemaston, Midgham, Thatcham, Newbury Racecourse, Newbury, Kintbury and Hungerford during the affected time but this is subject to change.
On strike days, a limited service will operate between 7.30am and 6.30pm. GWR expects these services to be extremely busy.
On Saturday (October 1) an extremely limited service will operate.
GWR said services will start at 7.30am and all journeys must be completed before 6.30pm.
These services will only operate on routes between Bristol Temple Meads and London Paddington, Reading and Didcot and Reading and Basingstoke.
There are no other train services on the GWR network on Saturday.
A full timetable will be operating on Monday (October 3) and there will be minor changes to late-night services the following day (October 4).
Another strike will commence on Wednesday (October 5) with limited services operating on routes between Bristol Temple Meads and London Paddington, Reading and Didcot and Reading and Basingstoke.
On Thursday, Friday and Saturday (October 6, October 7 and October 8) strike action will continue.
GWR said a “very limited” service will run on the following routes on Thursday on Friday:
- London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads (some extensions to Exeter/Plymouth)
- London Paddington to Swansea (only to Cardiff Central until midday)
- London Paddington to Oxford
- Reading to Didcot Parkway
- Didcot Parkway to Oxford
- Windsor, Marlow, Henley-on-Thames, and Greenford branch lines
- Reading to Basingstoke
- Gloucester to Bristol Temple Meads
- Cardiff Central to Plymouth (via Weston-super-Mare)
- Cardiff Central to Westbury
- Westbury to Swindon (via Melksham)
On Saturday, a very limited service will run on the following routes:
- London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads
- London Paddington to Cardiff Central
- London Paddington to Didcot Parkway
- Reading to Didcot Parkway
- Windsor, Marlow, and Henley-on-Thames branch lines
- Reading to Basingstoke
- Cardiff Central to Bath
Passengers are being advised to find alternative ways to travel on strike days.
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.
More information on ticket amendments and refunds can be found on the GWR website.
GWR said: “Avoid travelling and seek alternative ways to make your journey. If you are intending to travel on these routes, please only do so if absolutely necessary.
“Trains that are operating will be extremely busy.”
