Passengers urged to check journeys ahead of industrial action

Passengers travelling with West Midlands Railway (WMR) have been urged to check their journeys and plan ahead of industrial action.

Members of the RMT union have announced their intention to stage strike action on Saturday 29 July. WMR will be running a reduced timetable between the hours of 7am and 7pm only and some routes will not be served.

In addition, members of the ASLEF union have announced their intention to stage action short of strike in the form of an overtime ban from Monday 31 July until Saturday 5 August inclusive.

During this time alterations will apply on several routes and services may be subject to short-notice cancellation. Other train operating companies will also be affected by the industrial action.

Jonny Wiseman, WMR customer experience director, said: “It is disappointing that industrial action is continuing to affect our passengers ' journeys. I urge passengers travelling next week to check their journeys before setting out as services may be subject to short-notice cancellation. For this reason I also advise passengers to avoid relying on the last train of the evening where possible.

“Passengers travelling on Saturday 29 July should plan ahead as a reduced timetable will be in operation between 7am and 7pm only and some routes will not be served.

“Anyone holding a ticket for travel on a strike day can use their ticket on a different day or claim a full refund. ”

The following timetable alterations will apply Monday 31 July until Saturday 5 August inclusive:

• Buses will replace trains between Leamington Spa and Nuneaton via Coventry
• A reduced service will operate between Birmingham and Hereford, supplemented by rail replacement buses
• Fewer services will operate between Birmingham and Shrewsbury

To stay up to date with how industrial action is impacting WMR services, visit www.wmr.uk/industrialaction