Strikes mean no main-line trains in Cornwall for second time in six days
Over 50,000 union members are walking out nationwide, over pay and job security
Last updated 18th Aug 2022
For the second time in six days, NO main-line trains are running in Cornwall due to another nationwide rail strike.
Great Western Railway (GWR) and Cross Country will not be operating services in the Duchy on Thursday 18th August, with more action planned for Saturday too.
More than 50-thousand union members from the R-M-T, T-S-S-A, and Unite will be involved in the 24-hour walkouts.
Staff at Network Rail and train operators want more pay and job security.
GWR says: "Planned industrial action by the RMT and TSSA unions means we expect rail services to be severely affected on Thursday 18 and Saturday 20 August and a significantly reduced temporary timetable will be in place.
"On strike days an extremely limited service will operate between 07:00 and 18:30, and the last trains will leave much earlier. Due to the timing of the strike action, services after strike days will also be affected".
Great Western Railway says that where trains are able to operate, they will be extremely busy.
They added: "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".
How will my journey be affected?
Thursday 18 August:
GWR says a significantly limited service will operate and is passengers are being advised to make alternative travel arrangements or, if possible, not travel at all.
No rail services will operate on the following routes:
All lines in Cornwall, including all branch lines
West of Exeter towards Plymouth/Cornwall
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 19 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 20 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:
No trains will operate in/out of Bristol Temple Meads
Between Bristol Temple Meads to Swindon
Between Bristol and Gloucester
Between Bristol and Taunton
Between Cardiff Central and Bath Spa
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–Cardiff Central)
Berks & Hants line (between Reading–Westbury)
Wessex main line (Bath Spa–Portsmouth Harbour)
Heart of Wessex line (Westbury–Weymouth)
TransWilts line (trains will operate non-stop between Swindon and Westbury)
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.
Sunday 21 August:
Trains will start later, however a normal level of service is expected. Please check before you travel. Trains are expected to be extremely busy.
You can check the latest information from GWR here or, for Cross Country, here.