Rail strikes Wales: Disruption warning as two days of action loom

Transport for Wales says its services will be disrupted, particularly on Wednesday

Train operators in Wales have warned of more disruption to the rail network as two days of strike action are set to take place this week.

Industrial action by more than 40,000 railway workers, who are part of the RMT union, will see nearly all rail services cancelled on Wednesday.

The RMT said its members "had no other option but to take this strike action".

Network Rail said it was "bitterly disappointed by another strike day".

It follows industrial action last month over pay, jobs and working conditions.

Train drivers at seven rail companies will walk out on Saturday over a separate dispute.

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Transport for Wales (TfW) is not involved in either dispute, but the company said its services would be disrupted, particularly on Wednesday.

Only a handful of trains will be running on Wednesday.

Pay freeze

"We take this extremely seriously," said Steven Skelly from the RMT.

In talks with Network Rail and the train operating companies, it is demanding no compulsory redundancies, no changes to terms and conditions, and a pay rise.

"We've had to take strike action... over their refusal to award a sensible pay award to our members," Mr Skelly said, "some of which are in their third year of the pay freeze."

He accused the UK government of preventing the employers involved from settling the dispute.

Rail users in Wales are being told to plan for cancellations on Wednesday and Saturday

"They've effectively had their hands held behind their back and unable to negotiate and resolve the very sensible assurances that we are seeking," Mr Skelly said.

But Network Rail said progress had been made at the negotiating table.

"We want to get an affordable deal," Network Rail's Nick Millington said. "It's not all about money either. We want to make sure that we get a sustainable deal for the railway industry."

He said the strike would mean "significantly reduced service in Wales".

Many routes cancelled

The action comes a week after passengers were urged to avoid travelling by train as almost all trains ground to a halt during the biggest strike in 30 years.

On Wednesday, as the new action begins, there will be a Cardiff to Newport shuttle, operating hourly between 07:30 and 18:30 BST.

Great Western Railway will be running a limited service between 07:00 and 18:30 with many routes cancelled and no trains before 07:00 on other days due to the knock-on impact.

There will also be some trains running on the core valley lines.

Services will operate between Cardiff Central and Rhymney, Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil in an hourly service in each direction between 07:30 and 18:30.

There will be trains running between Radyr and Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil before 07:30 and after 18:30.

Road transport will enable customers to travel between Cardiff Central and Radyr in each direction outside these hours.

However, there are warnings services could be busier as a result.

Customers with existing tickets valid for travel on Wednesday and Saturday can use those tickets any time up to 2 August or claim a full refund.

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