Rail strike disrupts Devon and Cornwall services

Rail workers have been on the picket line at Plymouth railway station

Rail services across Devon and Cornwall have been disrupted with the first of two national strikes under way.

Great Western Railway (GWR) is not running services on many routes, including all of those in Cornwall, plus branch lines in Devon.

South Western Railway's London-to-Exeter trains have also been cancelled.

Nationally more than 40,000 rail workers, who are members of the RMT union, have walked out and another strike is planned for Saturday.

Half of the UK's lines are shut, with the same expected on Saturday, after workers walked out in a dispute over pay and terms.

About 20% of normal services are running, with trains only operating between 07:30 BST and 18:30.

Barry West, RMT organiser in the South West, joined pickets at Plymouth railway station.

"We want to have an open, transparent dialogue and we can't do that while the government effectively is not taking it seriously," he said.

Rail workers nationally have walked out in a dispute over pay and terms

"They are trying to put all the blame on the train operating companies and Network Rail.

"We are open to negotiation and we would like to resolve this as a matter of urgency."

But a Department for Transport spokesperson accused union leaders of "opting to inflict misery and disrupt the day-to-day lives of millions instead of working with industry to agree a deal that will bring our railways into the 21st Century".

Services will also start later on Friday because rolling stock will be in wrong locations, rail bosses warned.

GWR said both one-day strikes would see an "extremely limited service" and people should only use its trains "if absolutely necessary".

"Where trains are able to operate, they will be extremely busy," it added.

'Buses not feasible'

James Davis, from GWR, said: "Services will go as far as Exeter [on Thursday]. They can go a little bit further on Saturday, as far as Newton Abbot.

"But, essentially, all branch line services and services into Cornwall are not able to operate."

Replacement bus services are "not feasible" because of "the sheer numbers wanting to travel", he added.

"It would take... 12 to 15 buses per train," he explained.

Passengers have faced disruption over the summer because of several other strikes, as unions have called for pay increases in line with inflation.

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