Chiltern Railways issues travel guidance for November strike dates

Train operator Chiltern Railways have issued strong guidance to customers to only travel if absolutely essential on days affected by RMT strike action (5, 7 and 9 November). 

On these days, there will be extremely limited availability of staff and as such we will not be able to operate services on most routes.   

Due to strike action on 5 and 9 November at train operating companies including Chiltern, and Network Rail strike action on 7 November, there will be no service north of Banbury.

Additionally, strike action is taking place on the London Underground network on 10 November and there will be no Chiltern Railways service between Aylesbury and Amersham on this day.  Chiltern Railways' trains will also be unable to call at South Ruislip throughout the 10 November; some trains will call at West Ruislip instead. Chiltern Railways will not be serving Wembley Stadium station on 10 November.

There will be a later start to Chiltern Railways services on 6, 8 and 10 November. We expect to have significantly less staff to service and prepare the number of trains we would normally need to operate the timetable, and we are unable to position our fleet how we normally would. Customers should check their first train if they are travelling on these days.   

As a result of the strike action, there will be some minor late-night alterations to a very small number of services on 4, 6, 8 and 10 November. Customers are advised to check their journey before travelling. 

Due to additional strike action at West Midlands Railway on 4 November, there will be no West Midlands Railway services on the Snow Hill Lines. Chiltern will be the only operator between Birmingham Moor Street and Warwick. No Chiltern services will operate north of Moor Street in either direction on this day. 

Due to additional strike action at Avanti West Coast on 6 November, Chiltern Railways are also warning customers that services between London and Birmingham will be extremely busy, and owing to that, should only travel if absolutely essential. 

Chiltern Railways strongly advises customers to consider their journey and seek alternative methods of transport on the days where strike action is taking place, but in cases where rail travel is a necessity, to check their travel plans and last train home on the Chiltern Railways website (www.chilternrailways.co.uk) or app.    

An amended timetable will be available online shortly. More information and FAQs can be found on www.chilternrailways.co.uk/strike.  

Service levels 

Friday 4 November

• Due to strike action at West Midlands Railway, there will be no West Midlands Railway services on the Snow Hill Lines. Chiltern will be the only operator between Moor Street and Warwick. No Chiltern services will operate north of Moor Street in either direction all day.

Saturday 5, Monday 7, Wednesday 9 November (strike days)

• Start of service will generally be between 08.00 and 09.00
• End of service will generally be between 16.00 and 17.00
   
• 1 train per hour Marylebone - stations to Oxford Parkway (and vice-versa)
• 1 train per hour Marylebone - stations to Banbury (and vice versa)
• 1 train per hour Marylebone - stations to Aylesbury (via High Wycombe, and vice-versa)
• 1 train per hour Aylesbury Vale Parkway - stations to Amersham (and vice-versa)

Sunday 6, Tuesday 8 November  

• Services will start later than usual – please check the Chiltern Railways website for first services.

Thursday 10 November 

• Services will start later than usual – please check the Chiltern Railways website for first services.
• Due to strike action on the London Underground, there will be no Chiltern Railways services between Aylesbury and Amersham. Service on this route will restart at approximately 8AM on Friday 11 November. 
• Chiltern Railways will not be serving Wembley Stadium station on Thursday 10 November.
• Chiltern Railways' trains will also be unable to call at South Ruislip throughout the day; some trains will call at West Ruislip instead.