RAIL travellers from West Somerset are being warned the industrial action by unions will severely affect trains across the GWR network this weekend and next week, with services unable to operate across many routes.
The RMT, Aslef, and the TSSA unions are planning action for Saturday, August 13, Thursday, August 18, and Saturday, August 20.
The days immediately after the strike days are also going to be affected.
GWR says a significantly reduced temporary timetable has been put in place.
Passengers are advised to find alternative ways to travel on these days and only to travel if absolutely necessary.
The majority of train services will not operate and there will not be any services on many routes.
On strike days an extremely limited service will operate between 7 am and 6.30 pm and the last trains will leave much earlier.
Where trains are able to operate, they expected to be extremely busy.
GWR says it will operate as many trains as possible during the strike action, however the following travel advice is in place over the strike period:
Travel advice over strike period:
Friday, August 12.
Trains will run as planned but will be busy, and with some minor changes to late-night services. Please check before you travel. Those travelling to the Boardmasters Festival in Cornwall can check their journey here https://www.gwr.com/stations-and-destinations/travel-inspiration/festivals-and-events/boardmasters-festival
Saturday, August 13.
An extremely limited service will only operate on the routes below. Services will start later and finish much earlier than normal.
Bristol Temple Meads-London Paddington
Reading to Oxford
Reading to Basingstoke
No other GWR services will run.
Sunday, August 14.
Trains will continue to be severely disrupted, especially on long-distance intercity routes, please make alternative travel arrangements and only travel if absolutely necessary.
There will be no service on the following route:
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
Local stopping services will operate. Please check before you travel.
Monday, August 15.
A normal timetable will operate.
Tuesday, August 16.
A normal timetable will operate.
Wednesday, August 17.
Trains will run as planned with some minor changes to late night services. Please check before you travel.
Thursday, August 18.
A significantly limited service will operate please make alternative travel arrangements and only travel if absolutely necessary.
No rail services will operate on the following routes:
All lines in Cornwall, including all branch lines
West of Newton Abbot (change at Exeter) towards Plymouth/Cornwall (due to no contingency signallers)
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, August 19.
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, August 20.
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:
Between Bristol Temple Meads to London Paddington
Between Cardiff and Bath
Between Bristol and Gloucester
Between Bristol and Exeter
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 (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.
Sunday, August 21.
Trains will start later, however a normal level of service is expected. Please check before you travel.
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 GWR can run trains, they are expected to be extremely busy. They are not able to provide bus replacement services.
To help customers, GWR is allowing people with tickets for travel on Saturday, August 13, to be able to travel on the day before and up to and including Tuesday, August 16.
Passengers with tickets for travel on Thursday, August 18, and Saturday, August 20, can travel on the day before and up to and including Tuesday, August 23.
Those travelling during the latter half of this week are also being reminded of the weather forecast and advised to check their journeys and ensure they are well-prepared for the extreme conditions - wearing cool clothes, taking handheld fans, and ensuring they have plenty of water to drink.