Delays and disruption warning as train strikes begin

Avanti West Coast trains will not be operating on Wednesday

Rail passengers across Wales are to face disruption on Wednesday with train drivers from the Aslef union striking as part of a long-running dispute over pay and conditions.

Great Western Railway (GWR) services along the south Wales mainline will be “extremely limited”, according to the operator.

No Avanti West Coast trains will be running between Chester and Holyhead on Anglesey, while the CrossCountry service between Cardiff Central and Nottingham will also not be operating.

Transport for Wales, which provides all other train services in Wales, is not in dispute with Aslef and trains will be operating as normal.

However, it warned services are likely to be particularly busy.

Aslef members at 16 train operators across the UK are taking part in the strike.

Three of those, which do not operate in Wales, will walk out on Thursday.

The union first balloted its members in June 2022, with numerous strikes and other industrial action taking place since.

Mick Whelan, Aslef’s general secretary, said: “Our pay deals at these companies ran out in 2019.

"Train drivers at these train operating companies have not had an increase in salary for five years.

“That is completely wrong. The employers – and the [UK] government – think we are going to give up and run away. They’re wrong”.

Great Western Railway said it will continue to operate limited services between Cardiff Central and Bristol Temple Meads, however all other GWR services have been cancelled.

It also warned services in the days following the strike could be affected.

The Rail Delivery Group, which represents train companies affected by the strikes, said last month: "This wholly unnecessary strike action called by the Aslef leadership will sadly disrupt customers and businesses once again, while further damaging the railway at a time when taxpayers are continuing to contribute an extra £54 million a week just to keep services running.

“We continue to seek a fair agreement with the ASLEF leadership which both rewards our people, gives our customers more reliable services and makes sure the railway isn’t taking more than its fair share from taxpayers."