Rail strike to cause disruption to services
Chiltern RailwaysA reduced rail timetable will be in place across parts of the West Midlands due to planned industrial action affecting Chiltern Railways services.
Train managers, who are members of the RMT union, will take part in a 24-hour strike on Thursday in an ongoing dispute over staffing arrangements on the proposed East West Rail route.
Services to and from Stratford-upon-Avon, Leamington Spa and Birmingham Moor Street will be affected.
Tony Baxter, interim managing director of Chiltern Railways, said the company was "disappointed" by the industrial action but expected to run "the vast majority of our services on that day".
The union said it is concerned about plans to introduce driver-only operation on East West Rail services, arguing it could undermine passenger safety and threaten existing train manager roles.
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said the union remained determined to resist any attempt to weaken safety standards on the railway.
Responding to the concerns, Baxter said: "Every East West Rail service will have two people on board - the driver and a colleague looking after passengers, checking tickets, helping people who need assistance and assisting with any issues.
"We have run most of our trains with the driver in control of the doors for decades, safely and as approved by the independent rail regulator."
He added that the firm is "committed to working with the RMT to resolve this" and urged the union to work with them.
Service changes
On the day of the strike, no Chiltern Railways services will run between Stratford-upon-Avon and Leamington Spa.
Passengers are instead being advised to use West Midlands Railway services between Stratford-upon-Avon and Dorridge before connecting onwards.
There will be a reduced service between Leamington Spa and Birmingham Moor Street because local shuttle services will not operate. The changes are expected to particularly affect passengers travelling from Hatton and Lapworth.
In addition, no Chiltern Railways services will run north of Birmingham Moor Street. Passengers travelling towards Stourbridge Junction are advised to use West Midlands Railway services instead.
The last northbound service towards Stourbridge Junction, and onwards to Worcester Shrub Hill, will be the 22:57 GMT West Midlands Railway departure from Birmingham Moor Street.
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