Last ditch talks fail to head off planned 3-day rail strike

Last ditch talks have failed to try and head off a rail strike scheduled to start from 6.30pm this evening (Wed),  lasting until and including Saturday (Jul 11).

First Great Western (FGW) have today (Wed) held talks with RMT Union representatives over safety and job loss fears.

However the talks have since broken down, with services likely to be affected for a period lasting more than three days - starting this evening (Wed).

FGW  have said rail services will be "significantly affected" from tomorrow (Thursday Jul 9) until Saturday (Jul 11) - with minor changes to services this evening (Wed).

In a statement today (Wed) FGW advised:

"As we will be running a greatly reduced service, we recommend that customers with tickets for the dates affected travel - where feasible - on either Wednesday 8 July or Saturday 11 July, subject to any travel restrictions that would normally apply to your ticket."

An overtime ban on Saturday July 11 could also mean late notice changes - or possible cancellations - and the statement continued:

"Levels of service will vary by area due to the availability of trained staff to safely operate services, but we hope there will only be minor alterations."

Those planning a train journey to Cardiff to watch England V Australia in the Ashes Test cricket matches on Thursday (Jul 9) and Friday (Jul 10) are advised to check the FGW website for details under 'Special Events.'

FGW car park permit holders will be able to use their permit in another FGW station car park, however it is unlikely that seat reservations will be honoured, according to FGW.

The following rail services will not run, if the stike goes ahead, according to the company:

Between Severn Beach and Bristol Temple Meads

Between Looe and Liskeard

Between Newquay and Par

Between Falmouth and Truro

Between Greenford and London Paddington

Between Plymouth and Gunnislake

Between Weymouth and Westbury

The 22.45pm service from London Paddington will also not run on the strike days. Instead the 23.30pm service will depart at 23.45 and terminate at Bristol Temple Meads.

For more information, including refunds policy,  visit www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk, Twitter - @fgw (24 hours a day, 7 days a week), or telephone  0345 7000 125 (7am – 10pm every day)