The Aslef union has announced strike action that will affect GWR, CrossCountry and Chiltern Railways services on Monday 5 February.

In addition, there could be further disruption from Monday 29 January to Tuesday 6 February, due to industrial action short of a strike which will cause some short-notice alterations or cancellations.

A rolling programme of strike action by the union is also due to take place affecting other rail operators between these dates.

If you are travelling during this period, you should check both outward and return journeys before travelling.

On Sunday 4 February there will be significant disruption to services and customers should travel on alternative days.

On Monday 5 February, 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.

On the days after strikes, services could also be affected by a limited number of short-notice cancellations and alterations.

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 can 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, as per below:

Tickets for Tuesday 30 January to Monday 5 February can be used to travel from Monday 29 January up to and including Wednesday 7 February.

The following travel advice is in place: 

Wednesday 31 January – 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 will not operate due to pre-planned engineering work.

Thursday 1 February – Action short of a strike

A normal level of service will operate throughout the day, but there will be some short-notice alterations or cancellations.

The Night Riviera Sleeper service will not operate due to pre-planned engineering work.

Friday 2 February – Action short of a strike

A normal level of service will operate throughout the day, but there will be some short-notice alterations or cancellations.

The Night Riviera Sleeper service is cancelled.

Saturday 3 February – Action short of a strike

A normal level of service will operate throughout the day, but there will be some short-notice alterations or cancellations.

Planned engineering work will affect services between Bristol Temple Meads and Weston-super-Mare.

Planned engineering work will affect services between Reading and North Camp.

Those travelling to the Principality Stadium for Wales v Scotland should check their journey before travelling. Trains immediately before and after the match are expected to be very busy.

Sunday 4 February – Action short of a strike

There will be significant disruption to services and customers are recommended to travel the day before or after Monday 5 February. Where trains can run, they will be extremely busy.

No trains will operate on long-distance routes between London Paddington and Bristol, South Wales and Exeter/Plymouth/Penzance.

Trains will also start later and finish earlier, and customers are advised to check the time of last trains. Bus replacement services are not able to be operated.

A limited service on Sunday will run only on the following routes between:

London Paddington towards Didcot and Oxford

London Paddington and Swindon

London branch lines

Reading and Basingstoke

Reading and Newbury/Bedwyn

Westbury and Swindon

Cheltenham/Gloucester and Swindon

Cardiff and Portsmouth

Cardiff and Exeter St Davids via Weston-Super-Mare

Bristol and Gloucester/Cheltenham/Worcester

Bristol and Westbury/Weymouth

Plymouth and Penzance

Plymouth and Exeter

Devon and Cornwall branch lines

Customers are advised to travel before the weekend or after Sunday. If you intend to travel where trains are running, please check before you travel as they will be busy and are likely to be disrupted.

The Night Riviera Sleeper service is cancelled. Planned engineering work will affect services between Bristol Temple Meads and Weston-super-Mare and between Reading and North Camp (buses replace trains).

Monday 5 February – 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:

London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads

London Paddington and Oxford

Reading and Basingstoke

Reading and Redhill (AM/PM peak only)

Reading and Newbury (AM/PM peak only)

Westbury and Swindon (AM/PM peak)

Cardiff and Bristol Temple Meads

Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple (AM/PM peak only)

Exeter St Davids and Exmouth (calling at Exeter Central, Digby and Topsham only)

Plymouth and Gunnislake

Penzance and St Ives

If you intend to travel on Monday 5 February, 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.

Due to planned engineering work the Night Riviera Sleeper service is cancelled.

Tuesday 6 February – Action short of a strike

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 is cancelled due to pre-planned engineering work.