Rail strikes to hit Welshpool line

The railway line servicing Welshpool is expected to be suspended for three days later this week due to a mass rail strike.

The National Union of Rail, Maritime, and Transport Workers (RMT) has announced strike action will take place on Tuesday June 21, Thursday June 23 and Saturday, June 25, which will significantly disrupt the rail network across the whole of the UK.

But locally, it is set to decimate the rail service with a spokesperson for Transport for Wales (TfW) confirming last night: “The industrial action resulting from the dispute between RMT and Network Rail means we will be unable to operate our rail services on Network Rail infrastructure.

“The majority of rail services across the Wales and Borders network will be suspended, with the exception of services on the Core Valley Lines (CVL) north of Radyr in South Wales.”

The could also be disruptions on the days surrounding the strikes with TfW conceding: “There is also expected to be disruption on the days prior and after the industrial action. We will release more information as soon as possible.”

Customers with existing tickets for travel from Monday June 20 to Sunday June 26 can use those tickets anytime between now and the 20th. Alternatively, customers may claim a full refund by contacting customer.relations@tfwrail.wales.

“In the meantime, we are suspending sales of advance tickets for the first three strike dates to minimise the number of people disrupted. Customers should continue to check our website, and the websites of other operators, for updates,” the spokesperson said.

It's not been the best of years for local rail users after the line was closed for several weeks following storm damage, resulting in an expensive repair job being rushed through (pictured).