A TRAIN operator has issue “strong guidance” to customers to only travel in Oxfordshire if “absolutely essential” due to strike action.

The guidance comes from Chiltern Railways as strike action is due to take place on Thursday and Saturday this week by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT). 

On these days, the train operator warns that there will be “extremely limited availability of staff” and as such it will not be able to operate services on most routes. 

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Due to the strike action, there will be no service north of Banbury on Thursday. Due to the strike action coupled with planned engineering works, there will be no service north of High Wycombe on Saturday also with no provision of rail replacement buses.

There will also be a later start to our services on Friday and Sunday this week. The operator expects to have “significantly less staff” to service and prepare the number of trains normally on the timetable.

Customers are advised to check their first train if they are travelling on these days. 

Customers are also warned that services are likely to be very busy on Friday due to strike action on the London Underground. Chiltern Railways will be unable to run services between Marylebone and Aylesbury Vale Parkway on this day. 

Due to engineering works on Sunday, the railway is closed between High Wycombe and Bicester, and between Princes Risborough and Aylesbury.

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However, rail replacement buses will be in operation on Sunday between High Wycombe and Bicester North.

For more information, visit chilternrailways.co.uk/strike 

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Read more from this author

This story was written by Gee Harland. She joined the team in 2022 as a senior multimedia reporter.

Gee covers Wallingford, Wantage and Didcot.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Gee.harland@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @Geeharland

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