Services cancelled and some stations closed as rail strikes continue

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Industrial action by the RMT and TSSA unions will severely affect trains across the GWR network this weekend, with services unable to operate across many routes and some key stations closed.

The action is planned for Saturday 20 August, with Sunday also likely to be affected. On Saturday a significantly reduced temporary timetable has been put in place, and some stations including Bristol Temple Meads and Plymouth will see no rail services.

Passengers are advised to find alternative ways to travel on these days. Only travel if absolutely necessary.

On the strike day 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. 
 
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: 
 

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
  • 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–Bruton)
  • Wessex main line (Bath Spa–Portsmouth Harbour)
  • Heart of Wessex line (Westbury–Weymouth)
  • TransWilts line (trains will only 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

Disruption is likely to continue, and services are expected to be very busy.

Trains will start later and there will be short notice cancellations. Please check before you travel.

If you can delay your journey, tickets for travel on Sunday are valid up to Tuesday 23 August.
 
Customers who have already purchased tickets for strike days can claim a full refund or amend their ticket; those who travel and are delayed may be entitled to delay repay compensation if they are delayed by 15 minutes or more. Season ticket holders can apply for compensation through the Delay Repay scheme. 

Where the company can run trains, they are expected to be extremely busy. GWR is not able to provide bus replacement services. 


To help customers, people with tickets for travel on Thursday 18 and Saturday 20 can travel on the day before and up to and including Tuesday 23 August. 

Online journey checkers are expected to be updated with the latest timetable information as per below: 
 
 

Date Strike day/Non-strike day Passenger information published 
Friday 19 August Non-strike day 
Services will start from 07:00. Severely reduced timetable in place. 
Sleeper service is cancelled. 
Up to date
Saturday 20 August Strike day 
Severely reduced service between 07:00 and 18:30. 
Up to date 
Sunday 21 August Non-strike day 
Services will start from 07:00. Short notice cancellations likely 
Sleeper service operates. 
Up to date 
Monday 22 August Non-strike day 
Full normal service. 
 
Up to date 

GWR’s refund policy and Book with Confidence policy remains in place. If you hold a return ticket, you can claim a refund of your unused full fare, even if only one leg of your journey is affected. 

Photo credit: GWR

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