TRAIN passengers in Somerset are being warned of limited services this weekend and next week after trades unions announced industrial action at a number of train companies, including GWR and Network Rail.

Strikes are taking place on Saturday 1, Wednesday 5, Thursday 6, Friday 7 and Saturday October 8.

On those days train services will be severely disrupted and some parts of the GWR network will have no trains at all. Train services on the days following the industrial action will also be disrupted.

The strike action will affect travel this Saturday, travel to this Sunday’s London Marathon, and travel from Wednesday 5 through to and including Saturday 8 October.

On strike days an extremely limited service will operate between 7.30am and 6.30pm. First trains will start later and the last trains will leave much earlier.

Where GWR is able to run services, they are expected to be extremely busy and bus replacement services are not able to be provided.

Passengers are advised to find alternative ways to travel on these days. Only travel by train if absolutely necessary. The majority of train services will not operate and there will be no services on many routes.

Customers who have already bought tickets for strike days can claim a full refund or amend their ticket; those who travel and are delayed may be entitled to compensation if they are delayed by 15 minutes or more. Season ticket holders can apply for compensation through the Delay Repay scheme.

GWR is allowing people with tickets for travel on alternative days as follows:

  • Tickets for travel on October 1 are valid for travel on September 30, and October 2, 3, and 4;
  • Tickets for travel on October 2 are valid for travel on October 2, 3, and 4;
  • Tickets for travel on October 5 are valid for travel on October 4, 6, and 7;
  • Tickets for travel on October 6 and 7 are valid for travel on October 4, 5, 6, and 7;
  • Tickets for travel on October 8 will be valid for travel on October 7, 9, 10 and 11.

Unions taking action:

  • October 1 - Strike Action: Aslef, RMT and Unite. Action short of a strike: TSSA.
  • October 5 - Strike Action: Aslef. Action short of a strike: TSSA.
  • October 6 and 7 - Strike Action: TSSA managers and office staff only.
  • October 8 - Strike Action: RMT