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Original poster

Has anyone heard anymore on the potential train strike for next week?

14 replies

Elsashmelsa · 19/05/2015 11:09

DH and I are planning to take DD to London for the first time next week. We managed to get a hotel but we're only going on Sunday through to Tuesday as we have to be back Tuesday night as DD has a hospital appointment on the Wednesday afternoon.

I can't believe our bad luck. We can never afford to go on holiday so have saved for this and it's the only week this year that DH and I are off together, we've had to split our holidays to cover childcare for when DD isn't at school.

I called the hotel yesterday to see if we could extend our stay by one night and get the train back first thing Wednesday, but all the hotels are booked out.

So we looked at other options elsewhere but being this close to half term, everywhere is booked. So if the strike goes ahead, our one break this year will be out the window. Sad Sad

I don't know when the decision will be made on the strike, does anyone know?

OP posts:
SheHasAWildHeart · 19/05/2015 13:21

I used to travel Bham to London a lot and they usually weren't officially confirmed until the day before. But it was never all services on the trains or all Tube services. I was lucky that my route wasn't affected and tbh ran better than usual because there were less people. Check the routes you intend to use. And in London most of the tourist attractions are close to each other that you don't need the tube.
Is your hotel in central London? Have you tried hotels of the main touristy areas? Last I went with DD we stayed at Hilton at Ealing Common, much cheaper, accessible and really lovely.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 19/05/2015 13:52

Im fretting about our eurotunnel trip next week. So I will join you in worrying.
can you stay out of the centre but on a tube line somewhere?

Original poster
Elsashmelsa · 19/05/2015 14:01

We did think about driving up and staying just outside, but we don't really know the outside of London very well. Although I have a friend in Watford? I may ask her...

As for the lines effected, I had a look at the website and it said that First Great Western would be effected... At the train station at the weekend the woman I spoke to said that it would be all trains in our area and that the problem with trying to book a ticket for the Tuesday night after the strike has supposedly finished, is that there will still be extreme disruption because all the trains will be in the wrong places Sad. I don't fancy risking it with a very small 5 year old who will be exhausted after wandering around London all day...

OYBBD - it's awful isn't it?? It's just so unfair, it had to be OUR week didn't it??!! Wink

OP posts:
OhYouBadBadKitten · 19/05/2015 14:31

It is rotten. I fully support the right to strike, but the timing is really mean.

SheHasAWildHeart · 20/05/2015 14:26

You might find this advice useful:

www.theguardian.com/money/2015/may/20/how-will-the-rail-strike-affect-me

SheHasAWildHeart · 20/05/2015 14:27

I have bought tickets for Monday and/or Tuesday. Can I get a refund?
Yes, all the operating and ticket issuing companies we spoke to (thetrainline.com and raileasy.co.uk) are issuing full refunds now, even though the strike may be called off. The money will go back to the card that you paid with.

Original poster
Elsashmelsa · 21/05/2015 11:44

Thanks SheHasAWildHeart, but we didn't actually go ahead and buy tickets so we're Ok with that. We have booked a hotel though but we are able to cancel it on the day because it's a Travelodge.

TBH it isn't the money though, it's the disappointment about not being able to take DD to London for the first time when she's been so excited. It was going to be our only break away this year. Sad

OP posts:
YDdraigGoch · 21/05/2015 11:47

There are signs on the M4 this morning warning of road congestion and delays due to the train strike Sad

Original poster
Elsashmelsa · 21/05/2015 14:11

Well, latest news is that the Admin side have called off the strike, but not the RMT. Really keeping everything crossed that they will follow suit...

Having said that, I've just looked at train tickets for a last minute booking and there aren't many left so I hope there isn't a mad rush for them if they call the strike off otherwise we may still miss out...

Having said that, we have now got a contingency in place that DD is happy with. Postpone the London trip and travel to North Devon to go to some fun attractions instead. At least we can do that trip in a day...

OP posts:
SheHasAWildHeart · 21/05/2015 15:12

According to BBC the strike is off www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-32832191

North Devon sounds fun!

blowinahoolie · 29/05/2015 21:56

I posted a thread in Chat about the strike that was supposed to be happening this week but only one other poster responded....no one seemed to care much about it!

blowinahoolie · 29/05/2015 21:57

Even when there is a strike, skeleton services will run, just not by staff who work in safety critical roles (it's usually management who will take over for the day).

AuntieStella · 29/05/2015 22:04

New dates have been announced for strikes.

BBC article says 24 hours from 17:00 on 4June and 48 hours from 17:00 on 9June.

AuntieStella · 01/06/2015 14:19

Called off

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