Strike No trains will run on first Saturday of Christmas market
THERE will be no train services between Bristol and Bath for the opening Saturday of the first Bath Christmas Markets in three years due to a rail strike.
The famous festive markets – which attract hundreds of thousands of people to Bath each year – open today for the first time since before the pandemic.
But on Saturday – when thousands of people from Bristol would normally make their way to the Georgian city – a strike by the train drivers’ union Aslef means no Great Western Railway (GWR) services will run between the two cities.
In years gone by passengers would have been able to use the less frequent alternative South Western Railway services between the stations, but they no longer run.
Market organisers have warned that they expect road traffic in Bath to be particularly busy on Saturday and have urged motorists to use park and ride services.
First Bus runs regular bus services between Bristol and Bath throughout the day – at peak periods they can be as frequent as every 20 minutes.
The Aslef strike action also impacts other rail services in the South West and Wales, with no trains into or out of
Cardiff for Wales’ rugby fixture against Australia.
There are no rail services between Bristol Parkway and London Paddington on Saturday, and no trains at all will operate in Devon and Cornwall.
In total, 12 train operating companies are impacted by the Aslef action on Saturday.
Where trains are operating, they will be starting later and finishing earlier, and disruption to normal services is expected to continue into Sunday.
Passengers are advised to check with train operating companies before travelling.
Meanwhile, talks over another branch of the ongoing bitter rail workers’ dispute will be held today ahead of a fresh round of strikes set to cripple services across the country.
Mick Lynch, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT), will meet Transport Secretary and Forest of Dean MP Mark Harper after accusing the Government of blocking negotiations in a long-running row over pay, jobs and conditions.
The RMT has announced a series of 48-hour strikes in December and January by its members at Network Rail and 14 train companies – and an overtime ban over Christmas and the New Year, which threatens travel chaos over the festive period.
Mr Lynch said: “This latest round of
strikes will show how important our members are to the running of this country and will send a clear message that we want a good deal on job security, pay and conditions for our people.
“We have been reasonable but it is impossible to find a negotiated settlement when the dead hand of government is presiding over these talks.
“The employers are in disarray and saying different things to different people, sometimes at the same time. This whole process has become a farce that only the new Secretary of State can resolve. When I meet him, I will deliver that message.
“In the meantime, our message to the public is we are sorry to inconvenience you but we urge you to direct your anger and frustration at the Government and railway employers during this latest phase of action.”
Pubs and other hospitality firms have said the series of rail strikes before Christmas will have a “devastating” impact for struggling firms.
More than 40,000 members of the RMT will strike on December 13, 14, 16 and 17 and on January 3, 4, 6 and 7.
Firms and industry groups have called for an urgent resolution to the proposed strikes, which would take place on key days for Christmas celebrations.
Sarah Willingham, CEO of 36-strong bar group Nightcap, said “the Government should not allow this to happen” after a series of heavily disrupted Christmases for the sector.
“I am absolutely appalled that this is allowed to happen during the busiest week of the year for both hospitality and retail,” she said.
“Hundreds of thousands of jobs rely on Christmas trade and will be put at risk, not to mention our customers all looking forward to finally spending a Christmas together out in their favourite venues.
“The macro impact is huge. The impact on people’s mental health is immeasurable.”
Kate Nicholls, chief executive for the UKHospitality trade body, was also frustrated by the announcement.
She said: “Continued rail strikes have had a huge impact on our hospitality sector; preventing staff from making it into work and disrupting consumers’ plans, meaning a huge drop in sales for venues across the sector.
“Further strikes during the busiest time of the year for hospitality will be devastating, just as everyone was anticipating an uninterrupted Christmas period for the first time in three years.
“I’d encourage all parties to come together to find a resolution that can avoid further strikes and the disruption they cause both businesses and the public.”