Train strikes to cause major disruption across South West
Network Rail has apologised as workers walk out again
Passengers are being urged not to get the train unless they absolutely have to, both today and across much of the Christmas period, because of strike action.
Rail workers are walking out today (December 13), tomorrow and on both Friday and Saturday (December 16-17) in a dispute over pay and conditions.
Major disruption is also expected from December 18 until January 2, because of a ban on working overtime being imposed by RMT union.
On strike days roughly only 20 percent of services will operate between 7:30am and 6:30pm in the South West region.
However, no trains at all will run south west of Plymouth, including across the whole of Cornwall and on branch lines in Devon.
There will also be no services to Gloucester and Cheltenham Spa further north.
David Davidson, Network Rail’s interim Western route director, said: “It is deeply frustrating to have to once again warn passengers of disruption as a result of further industrial action.
"Make no mistake, this highly disruptive strike action by the RMT over the festive period will cause misery to passengers right across the country.
“I would like to apologise to passengers and urge them to seek alternative ways to travel than by train and for those passengers who must travel by train to expect severe disruption, plan ahead and check the time of your last train home.
“Please continue to check with your train operator on the services they are running or visit the National Rail Enquiries website for more information.”
Christmas Eve, usually one of the busiest days of the year for travel across the country, will also see services stopping earlier than usual because of further action by the RMT, which has already been announced.
In the latest ballot of it's members, conducted on Monday (December 11), the RMT voted by nearly 67 percent to reject Network Rail's latest pay offer.
RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said: "This is a huge rejection of Network Rail's substandard offer and shows that our members are determined to take further strike action in pursuit of a negotiated settlement.
"The government is refusing to lift a finger to prevent these strikes and it is clear they want to make effective strike action illegal in Britain.
"We will resist that and our members, along with the entire trade union movement will continue their campaign for a square deal for workers, decent pay increases and good working conditions."
Passengers we spoke to at Bristol Temple Meads expressed mixed views on the situation.
"I think it's horrendous," Beverley told us.
"At the moment the country is so bad off anyway...I've got to be honest, I don't agree with them (the strikers)."
Another woman expressed the opposite view.
"I do sympathise with the people striking, I'm not against what they're doing," she said.
"I know it's causing disruption but I think they have to do it to get the money and wages they deserve, basically."
Off record officials involved have told us the situation is a "complete mess" and that passengers should avoid using the rail network this Christmas at all costs.
For some though if they want to travel, the train is their only option.