The Aslef union has announced strike action that will affect GWR, CrossCountry, Chiltern Railways and other train operators on Wednesday 8 May.
In addition, there could be further disruption from Monday 6 to Saturday 11 May due to industrial action short of a strike. This is likely to cause some short-notice alterations and cancellations, especially at weekends or late at night.
A rolling programme of strike action by the union affecting other rail operators is also due to take place between these dates.
If you are travelling during this period, you should check both outward and return journeys before setting out.
On Wednesday 8 May, a reduced, revised timetable will operate across several train operators, including GWR. Many parts of the GWR network will have no service at all and trains that are running will only be operating for a limited period during the day.
Due to engineering work, there will be no GWR trains between London Paddington and Reading. No long-distance services will operate on the GWR network, and strike action will also affect other operators.
On the days after strikes, services could also be affected by a limited number of short-notice cancellations and alterations.
Online journey planners are being updated and details are published below.
If you intend to travel where trains are running, please check before you travel. Trains that are operating will be busier than usual because we will not be able to offer the normal service frequency.
Other train operators are also affected by this action, so onward travel could also be affected. Where we are able to run services, they are expected to be extremely busy and we are not able to provide bus replacement services.
Customers who purchased tickets but do not travel 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.
To help customers, tickets for strike days will be valid for travel on alternative days on GWR services:
- Tickets for Tuesday 7 May to Thursday 9 May can be used the day before or up to and including Monday 13 May
Season-ticket holders can apply for compensation through the Delay Repay scheme. Our Refund 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.
Travel Advice
The following travel advice is in place:
Monday 6 May – Action short of a strike
A normal level of service will operate throughout the day, but there may be some short-notice alterations and cancellations to services late at night.
The Night Riviera Sleeper service is cancelled.
Tuesday 7 May – Action short of a strike
A normal level of service will operate throughout the day, but there may be some short-notice alterations and cancellations to services late at night.
The Night Riviera Sleeper service is cancelled.
Wednesday 8 May – Strike Day
An extremely limited service will operate. There will be a reduced operating window; services will start at 07:00 and must be completed by around 19:00. If you intend to travel where trains are operating, please check both outward and return journeys.
A very limited service will run only on the following routes between:
- Reading and Oxford
- Reading and Basingstoke
- Reading and Redhill (peak time only)
- Reading and Newbury
- Westbury and Swindon (peak time only)
- Cardiff and Bristol
- Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple
- Exeter St Davids and Exmouth (calling at Exeter Central, Digby and Topsham only)
- Penzance/St Erth and St Ives (09:30 to 12:30 and 15:30 to 19:00)
Thursday 9 May – Action short of a strike
A normal level of service will operate throughout the day, but there will be some short-notice alterations and cancellations.
The Night Riviera Sleeper service is cancelled.
Friday 10 May – Action short of a strike
A normal level of service will operate throughout the day, but there will be some short-notice alterations and cancellations.
The Night Riviera Sleeper service is cancelled.
Saturday 11 May – Action short of a strike
A normal level of service will operate throughout the day, but there will be some short-notice alterations and cancellations.
Guildford to Gatwick services cancelled all day. Bus replacement service to operate between Reading and Guildford.
Sunday 12 May – Non-strike day
Trains will run as planned with some changes to service start-up and some planned cancellations. Please check before you travel.
The Night Riviera Sleeper service resumes.
Passenger information
| Date | Service | Passenger information published |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 6 May | Non-strike day Normal level of service; some alterations and planned cancellations. Night Riviera Sleeper service is cancelled. |
Tuesday 30 April |
| Tuesday 7 May | Non-strike day Normal level of service; some alterations and planned cancellations. Night Riviera Sleeper service is cancelled. |
Tuesday 30 April |
| Wednesday 8 May | Strike day Strike day extremely limited service between 07:00 and 19:00. Night Riviera Sleeper service is cancelled. |
Tuesday 30 April |
| Thursday 9 May | Non-strike day Normal level of service; some alterations and planned cancellations. Night Riviera Sleeper service is cancelled. |
Tuesday 30 April |
| Friday 10 May | Non-strike day Normal level of service; some alterations and planned cancellations. Night Riviera Sleeper service is cancelled. |
Tuesday 30 April |
| Saturday 11 May | Non-strike day Normal level of service; some alterations and planned cancellations. |
Tuesday 30 April |
We will update this page with more information if the current situation changes.
Dates of industrial action
Action short of a strike across several train operating companies
- Monday 6 to Saturday 11 May
Strike action affecting train operating companies
- Tuesday 7 May: c2c, Greater Anglia, GTR Great Northern Thameslink, Southeastern, Southern/Gatwick Express, South Western Railway main line and depot drivers, and SWR Island Line
- Wednesday 8 May: Avanti, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, GWR, and West Midlands Trains
- Thursday 9 May:LNER, Northern Trains, and TransPennine Trains