Great Western Coffee Shop

Dear Graham
 
We promised to keep you updated ahead of further rail strikes taking place this week.
 
Tomorrow, Wednesday 5th, ASLEF (train drivers) are on strike across the country. On Thursday 6th and Friday 7th, TSSA (GWR controllers and managers) are on strike at GWR only, but as part of their nationwide dispute. And on Saturday 8th, the RMT (on board and station staff, and Network Rail signallers) will be on strike again across the country.
 
From Wednesday to Saturday, across all 4 days, there will be no GWR services operating on the vast majority of our network. Full detail of where we are able to run services is on our dedicated webpage at www.gwr.com/strike, and online journey planners should now be accurate for the remaining strike days.
 
On Thursday and Friday, a very limited service will operate between Westbury and Cardiff Central, and between Westbury and Swindon (via Melksham). There will be no services between Reading and Taunton via Castle Cary (inc for Newbury, Bedwyn, Pewsey etc) due to the ongoing Network Rail improvement works.
 
Our advice to customers remains not to travel unless absolutely necessary, and to make alternative arrangements. We do expect some disruption on Sunday 9th too, following the strike days.
 
If you can share this with your networks that would be greatly appreciated.
 
Best wishes
 
Jane & Toby

Thursday 6 October – Strike Day
An extremely limited service will operate. Services will start at 07:30 and all journeys must be completed before 19:00.

A very limited service will run on the following routes:

London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads (some extensions to Exeter/Plymouth)
London Paddington to Swansea (only to Cardiff Central until midday)
London Paddington to Oxford
Reading to Didcot Parkway
Didcot Parkway to Oxford
Windsor, Marlow, Henley-on-Thames, and Greenford branch lines
Reading to Basingstoke
Gloucester to Bristol Temple Meads
Cardiff Central to Plymouth (via Weston-super-Mare)
Cardiff Central to Westbury
Westbury to Swindon (via Melksham)
Avoid travelling and seek alternative ways to make your journey. If you are intending to travel on these routes, please only do so if absolutely necessary. Trains that are operating will be extremely busy.

Friday 7 October – Strike Day
An extremely limited service will operate. Services will start at 07:30.

A very limited service will run on the following routes:

London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads (some extensions to Exeter/Plymouth)
London Paddington to Swansea (only to Cardiff Central until midday)
London Paddington to Oxford
Reading to Didcot Parkway
Didcot Parkway to Oxford
Windsor, Marlow, Henley-on-Thames, and Greenford branch lines
Reading to Basingstoke
Gloucester to Bristol Temple Meads
Cardiff Central to Plymouth (via Weston-super-Mare)
Cardiff Central to Westbury
Westbury to Swindon (via Melksham)