Bristol rail passengers have been advised to only travel if absolutely necessary this weekend as local routes are expected to be impacted by the strikes. ASLEF, the train drivers’ union will go on strike this weekend in a dispute over pay.
The nation has seen major disruption to railways due to industrial action in recent months. In June, RMT union members voted to strike after their demand for a 7 per cent pay rise was rejected in favour of a 3 per cent offer, and an initial three days of industrial action were scheduled for June 21, 23 and 25. A fourth strike day took place on July 27.
Great Western Railway has advised passengers to find alternative ways to travel on these days. Only travel if absolutely necessary, and check your journey before travelling. The majority of train services will not operate and there will be no services on some routes.
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Why are they striking?
"Many of our members – who were the men and women who moved key workers and goods around the country during the pandemic – have not had a pay rise since 2019," said Mick Whelan, general secretary of ASLEF, the train drivers’ union. "With inflation running at north of 10 per cent that means those drivers have had a real terms pay cut over the last three years. We want an increase in line with the cost of living – we want to be able to buy, in 2022, what we could buy in 2021."
Train drivers at nine companies are set to strike on August 13 after the firms failed to make a pay offer to help members keep pace with the increase in the cost of living. This week, Bristol routes will be severely impacted by the industrial action on Saturday with a reduced timetable running on Sunday.
Saturday, July 30
The ASLEF strike among GWR train drivers on Saturday will have an even greater impact, and most parts of the GWR network will have no train service. Please make alternative travel arrangements and only travel if absolutely necessary.
An extremely limited service will only operate on the routes below. Services will start later and finish much earlier than normal.
- Bristol Temple Meads to London Paddington
- Reading to Oxford
- Reading to Basingstoke
No other GWR services will run.
Sunday, July 31
There will continue to be disruptions on some routes. GWR advises passengers to make alternative travel arrangements and only travel if absolutely necessary. There will be no service on the following routes:
- Swindon to Gloucester
- 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
Services will start later and finish earlier than normal and are expected to be extremely busy. Local services will start later than usual but will run as planned.
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