Chiltern Railways announce industrial action timetable between 17-22 July

Train operator Chiltern Railways has warned customers of the significant impact that industrial action by ASLEF and the RMT will have on its services next week.

The action comprises of an ASLEF overtime ban between 17 – 22 July, and RMT strike action on Thursday 20 July and Saturday 22 July respectively. 

On 17, 18 and 19 July, the overtime ban by ASLEF means there will be an amended timetable in place. Service frequency will be reduced on some routes, and services on all routes will finish earlier than usual. Trains are expected to be busier than normal, and customers are advised to check their full journey ahead of travelling. 

Where possible, the operator has added extra carriages to services that are running to ensure that there are as many seats as possible for travelling customers. Reducing the number of services while adding carriages to those that are running limits the risk of on-the-day cancellations and offers confidence and certainty to customers who are seeking to travel.  

On 20 and 22 July, RMT strike action means that a very limited service will be in operation between approximately 08.00 and 22.00. On these dates, there will be no service north of Banbury. Chiltern Railways has taken the decision to urge customers to only travel if essential on these dates.  

If travelling is a necessity, customers seeking to travel to stations such as Leamington Spa and Birmingham Moor Street on these dates can do so by travelling to Banbury to connect with northbound CrossCountry services to the Midlands and North-West.  

On 21 July, due to the RMT industrial action the previous day, services will start later and finish earlier than usual, with some services amended or cancelled.  

Chiltern Railways is aware of further strike action on the London Underground network immediately following this action, as well as a further RMT strike date on 29 July. The operator will provide an update on service provision for these dates in due course. 

If customers are intending to travel on Chiltern services next week, they are advised to ensure they check their full journey ahead of time. 

More information, exact service levels and FAQs can be found on www.chilternrailways.co.uk/strike.  

Service summary 

Monday 17 – Wednesday 19 July 

Trains will be busier than usual and there are timetable changes across the network. Please check before you travel, as services will finish earlier than usual. 

A limited service will be in operation, structured as follows: 

• 1 train per hour Marylebone - stations to Birmingham Moor Street (and vice-versa). 
• 2 trains per hour Marylebone - stations to Oxford (and vice-versa). 
• 1 train per hour Princes Risborough - stations to Aylesbury (and vice-versa). 
• Shuttle service Leamington Spa - stations to Stratford Upon Avon (and vice-versa) until approximately 19.00. 
• 1 train per hour Marylebone - stations to Aylesbury Vale Parkway (via Amersham; and vice-versa). 
• Additional services to the above will operate during the morning and evening peak periods. 

Thursday 20 July 

Only travel if essential, as a very limited service will be in operation between approximately 08.00 and 22.00, structured as follows: 

• 1 train per hour Marylebone - stations to Banbury (and vice-versa). 
• 1 train per hour Marylebone - stations to Oxford (and vice-versa). 
• 1 train per hour Marylebone - stations to Aylesbury (via High Wycombe; and vice-versa). 

• 1 train per hour Amersham - stations to Aylesbury Vale Parkway (and vice-versa). 

Friday 21 July 

• On Friday 21 July, trains will start later and finish earlier than usual. Some services are subject to amendments and cancellations. Please check before you travel. 

Saturday 22 July 

Only travel if essential, as a very limited service will be in operation between approximately 08.00 and 22.00, structured as follows: 

• 1 train per hour Marylebone - stations to Banbury (and vice-versa). 
• 1 train per hour Marylebone - stations to Oxford (and vice-versa). 
• 1 train per hour Marylebone - stations to Aylesbury (via High Wycombe; and vice-versa). 

Additionally, the railway is closed between Amersham and Aylesbury all day due to planned engineering works. Rail replacement buses will operate as follows, connecting with London Underground services to/from Baker Street at Amersham: 

• Amersham - Great Missenden - Wendover - Stoke Mandeville - Aylesbury - Aylesbury Vale Parkway.