GWR services disrupted by more strike action

There will be fewer trains running in the South West between today and Friday.

That's because of more strike action from trade unions, in their ongoing row with rail bosses over pay and working conditions.

Great Western Railway is urging people to check before travelling.

Downing Street has said it wants to see unions hold further talks with employers to "reach a fair agreement" and end strike action.

A No 10 spokesman told reporters: "We want the strikes to come to an end, we want people to agree a fair pay settlement but, as we've said before, what we can't do is allow for double digital pay rises that will embed inflation going forward, which will impact the amount of money people have going forward."

Asked if any deal is close between rail unions and bosses, the spokesman said: "It's for the employers and the unions to do the detailed negotiations but our position remains that we want to see those strikes come to an end.

"We've seen the disruption they have caused not just this week and next week but throughout the Christmas period.

"We believe a fair and reasonable offer was put forward, which the RMT rejected despite a significant number of members voting to accept it, but now we want to see the unions get back round the table with the employers and reach a fair agreement."

The spokesman said contingency planning over the Christmas period has been taking place, adding: "The Prime Minister wants to see employers and unions reach a fair agreement."