Covid: GWR to issue 'revised' Christmas timetable due to staff cases

Great Western Railway said about 2.5% of its operational staff were absent due to Covid

A rail operator has said it will offer a revised Christmas timetable after a "significant number" of staff tested positive for Covid-19.

Great Western Railway (GWR) said more than 50 members of staff are off work due to coronavirus.

It said it would be contacting affected customers to help them make alternative arrangements between 21 and 27 December.

The company has apologised for the inconvenience.

GWR told the BBC a "significant number" of train crew members had tested positive for Covid-19 and a further 50 were self-isolating.

It said the absences accounted for 10% of operational staff in Devon and Cornwall, or 2.5% across all GWR staff.

Sir Peter Hendy, the government's adviser on Christmas travel, told the House of Commons transport select committee GWR was "not currently anticipating being able to run the service that they thought they would".

On Wednesday the train operator was forced to cancel 1.25% of its scheduled services, but said the impact on festive travel would be "relatively small".

Affected customers have been told they could make their journey by coach, or via alternative rail providers.

National Express said it was offering "covid-secure coaches" between London and the West of England during the festive season, including direct services to Bristol, Cornwall and Cardiff on Christmas and Boxing Day.

It encouraged customers to book soon due to "limited" availability.