Industrial action by the RMT, Aslef and the TSSA unions will severely affect trains across Cornwall and the GWR network this weekend and next week, with services unable to operate across many routes.

The action is planned for Saturday 13, Thursday 18 and Saturday 20 August, with days immediately after the strike days also affected.

A significantly reduced temporary timetable has been put in place, with some services being cancelled all day in Cornwall next week.

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

The majority of train services will not operate and there will be no services on many routes.

On strike days 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, 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 are advised to check their journeys before they travel.

  • 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 Oxford to Worcester/Hereford route.

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.

Customers are advised to check before you travel.

A normal timetable will then operate on Monday, August 15 and Tuesday, August 16.

  • Wednesday, August 17

Trains will run as planned with some minor changes to late night services.

Customers are advised to check before travelling.

  • Thursday, August 18

No rail services will operate on all lines in Cornwall, including all branch lines, and GWR have asked customers to make alternative travel arrangements and only travel if absolutely necessary.

  • 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 21

No rail services will operate on all lines in Cornwall, including all branch lines

  • 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 the company 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.

People with tickets for travel on Thursday 18 and Saturday 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.