NO main-line trains in Cornwall as another strike begins

GWR and CrossCountry are among nine operators affected across the UK

Author: Emma HartPublished 13th Aug 2022
Last updated 13th Aug 2022

The next train to arrive in Cornwall will not be until tomorrow, due to another nationwide rail strike.

Great Western Railway (GWR) and CrossCountry are not running any services in the Duchy on Saturday 13th August, as train drivers from nine operators walk out over pay and conditions.

Members of the ASLEF union want to see wages rise to reflect rising inflation.

GWR says the industrial action will affect Sunday's timetable too, with services starting later.

Further strikes are planned on Thursday 18th and Saturday 20th August as well.

GWR says: "Passengers are advised to find alternative ways to travel on these days. Only travel if absolutely necessary. The majority of train services will not operate and there will be no services on many routes.

"On strike days an extremely limited service will operate between 0700 and 1830, and last trains will leave much earlier. Where trains are able to operate, they will be extremely busy".

How will this week's strikes affect Cornwall's trains?

GWR has said it will operate as many trains as possible during the strike action, however the following travel advice is in place over the strike period:

Saturday 13 August:

An extremely limited service will only operate on the routes below. Services will start later and finish much earlier than normal.

• Bristol Temple Meads-London Paddington

• Reading to Oxford

• Reading to Basingstoke

No other GWR services will run.

Sunday 14 August:

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.

Normal timetables will operate on Monday 15th and Tuesday 16th August.

Wednesday 17th August:

Trains will run as planned with some minor changes to late night services. Please check before you travel.

Thursday 18th August:

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–Cardiff Central)

• Berks & Hants line (Reading–Taunton via Castle Cary)

• Wessex main line (Bath Spa–Portsmouth Harbour)

• Heart of Wessex line (Westbury–Weymouth)

• TransWilts line (Swindon–Westbury via Melksham)

• Severn Beach line (Bristol Temple Meads–Severn Beach)

• North Cotswolds line (Hereford/Worcester–Oxford)

• South Cotswolds line (Cheltenham Spa–Swindon)

• Worcester/Gloucester

• Greenford branch line

• North Downs line (Reading–Gatwick Airport)

Please check before you travel.

Friday 19th August:

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 20th August:

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