Chiltern Railways has warned its customers about the upcoming industrial action by the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF) and the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT). The strike is expected to cause significant disruptions to the rail services next week.
The industrial action consists of an ASLEF overtime ban scheduled between the 17th and 22nd of July and RMT strike action planned for Thursday, the 20th of July, and Saturday, the 22nd of July.
During the ASLEF overtime ban on 17th, 18th, and 19th July, Chiltern Railways will implement an amended timetable. As a result, service frequency will be reduced on specific routes, and all trains will conclude their journeys earlier than usual. Passengers should anticipate higher-than-average passenger volumes and are strongly advised to check their complete travel itinerary before embarking on their journey.
Chiltern Railways plan adding extra carriages to the running trains to mitigate the impact of reduced services, ensuring maximum seating capacity for passengers. By reducing the number of services while increasing the carriage capacity on operational trains, the operator aims to minimise the risk of last-minute cancellations, giving customers more confidence and certainty in their travel plans.
On the 20th and 22nd of July, due to the RMT strike action, significantly limited service will be available between 08:00 and 22:00. On these dates, there will be no service north of Banbury. Chiltern Railways strongly advises customers to limit their travel to essential journeys only on these dates.
Alternate arrangements have been suggested for passengers who need to travel to stations such as Leamington Spa and Birmingham Moor Street on the strike days. Passengers can travel to Banbury and connect with northbound CrossCountry services to the Midlands and North-West.
On 21st July, following the RMT industrial action the previous day, services will have delayed start times and earlier finish times than usual. Additionally, some services may be subject to amendments or cancellations. Passengers are urged to check the status of their journey before travel.
Chiltern Railways is aware of further strike action scheduled on the London Underground network immediately after this industrial action, as well as another RMT strike date set for 29th July. The operator will update the service provision for these dates in due course.
Customers planning to travel on Chiltern Railways next week are advised to check their complete travel itinerary in advance.
For additional information, including precise service levels and frequently asked questions, customers can visit the official Chiltern Railways website at www.chilternrailways.co.uk/strike.
Summary of Service Changes:
Monday 17th – Wednesday 19th July:
- Trains will be busier than usual, and timetable changes will affect the network. Passengers are advised to check their travel plans as services will conclude earlier than usual.
- A limited service will operate as follows:
- one train per hour between Marylebone and stations to Birmingham Moor Street (and vice-versa).
- two trains per hour between Marylebone and stations to Oxford (and vice-versa).
- one train per hour between Princes Risborough and stations to Aylesbury (and vice-versa).
- Shuttle service between Leamington Spa and stations to Stratford Upon Avon (and vice-versa) until approximately 19:00.
- one train per hour between Marylebone and stations to Aylesbury Vale Parkway (via Amersham; and vice-versa).
- Additional services will operate during the morning and evening peak periods.
Thursday 20th July:
- Passengers are advised to travel only if essential, as a minimal service will be available between approximately 08:00 and 22:00. The service will be structured as follows:
- one train per hour between Marylebone and stations to Banbury (and vice-versa).
- one train per hour between Marylebone and stations to Oxford (and vice-versa).
- one train per hour between Marylebone and stations to Aylesbury (via High Wycombe; and vice-versa).
- one train per hour between Amersham and stations to Aylesbury Vale Parkway (and vice-versa).
Friday 21st July:
- Trains will start later and finish earlier than usual. Some services may be subject to amendments or cancellations. Passengers are advised to check their travel plans beforehand.
Saturday 22nd July:
- Passengers are advised to travel only if essential, as a minimal service will be available between approximately 08:00 and 22:00. The service will be structured as follows:
- one train per hour between Marylebone and stations to Banbury (and vice-versa).
- one train per hour between Marylebone and stations to Oxford (and vice-versa).
- one train per hour between Marylebone and stations to Aylesbury (via High Wycombe; and vice-versa).
Additionally, the railway between Amersham and Aylesbury will be closed throughout the day due to planned engineering works. Rail replacement buses will operate along the following route, connecting with London Underground services to/from Baker Street at Amersham: Amersham – Great Missenden – Wendover – Stoke Mandeville – Aylesbury – Aylesbury Vale Parkway.
