THERE will be no Transport for Wales (TfW) services in North Wales on the three days of the planned strikes next week, and disruption on the days in-between.

Residents have been advised by TfW not to travel by train on the days of the strikes – June 21, 23, 25.

And due to the wider disruption caused, customers are only advised to travel by rail if essential for June 20, 22, 24 and 26.

This is due to the majority of TfW’s rail services being suspended as a result of industrial action following the dispute between the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) and Network Rail.

All TfW services in North Wales on the three days of the strike will be suspended, as signalling and other infrastructure work is managed by Network Rail, who are impacted by the industrial action.

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The only TfW services running in Wales on the days of the strikes are the following:

• June 21 and 23 - a reduced service between Radyr and Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil, with replacement bus services between Radyr and Cardiff Central.

• June 25 - a reduced service between Radyr and Treherbert, Aberdare and Pontypridd, with replacement buses in operation between Radyr and Cardiff Central, and between Pontypridd and Merthyr Tydfil due to the ongoing transformation work for the South Wales Metro.

TfW is not in dispute with RMT, but the industrial action means it is unable to operate rail services on Network Rail infrastructure.

Jan Chaudhry-Van der Velde, TfW managing director of transport, said: “TfW is not in dispute with rail unions.

“However, due to the industrial action resulting from the dispute between RMT and Network Rail, we’re unable to operate rail services on Network Rail infrastructure, including all our services in North Wales.

“We’re also expecting disruption to services on 20, 22, 24 and 26 June, and trains that do run on those days are likely to be very busy.

“We’re advising that customers do not travel at all by train on June 21, 23 and 25, and only make essential journeys by train on June 20, 22, 24 and 26.

“You can find out more on our website at: tfw.wales/industrial-action.”

Meanwhile, an Isle of Anglesey County Council spokesperson confirmed, regarding alternate public transport arrangements during the strikes, that as the commercial (no. 4) service follows the Bangor – Holyhead train service route, the council has not arranged any extra provision.

Service providers have also informed Anglesey Council that they do not have the capacity to provide extra bus services.

Across the UK, half of Britain’s rail lines will be closed during the strikes.

The strikes have stemmed from disputes regarding pay, jobs and conditions, with the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) announcing more strike ballots at rail companies yesterday (June 15).

Steve Montgomery, who chairs industry body Rail Delivery Group, said: “These strikes will affect the millions of people who use the train each day, including key workers, students with exams, those who cannot work from home, holidaymakers and those attending important business and leisure events.

“Working with Network Rail, our plan is to keep as many services running as possible, but significant disruption will be inevitable and some parts of the network will not have a service, so passengers should plan their journeys carefully and check their train times.”

Only about 12,000-14,000 services will be able to run on the days after the strikes.

This is because signallers and control staff will not work overnight shifts that begin on the strike dates, so trains will leave depots up to four hours later than normal.

Network Rail chief executive Andrew Haines said the strikes have been timed to cause “maximum disruption”.

Mr Haines said talks had been held but had not progressed as far as he had hoped, adding: “So, we must prepare for a needless national rail strike and the damaging impact it will have.”

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch wrote to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps and Chancellor Rishi Sunak calling for face-to-face talks, saying it was clear the Treasury was “calling the shots” and not allowing rail employers to reach a negotiated settlement.

Network Rail denied the union’s claim.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer told Boris Johnson at Prime Minister’s Questions that he wanted the strikes to go ahead so he can “feed on the division”, adding that he opposed the industrial action.

Mr Johnson said a union official had said he would not negotiate with the Government.

Mr Shapps said the strikes were “entirely pointless” as a pay freeze was coming to an end.

Shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh accused the Government of being a “bunch of arsonists”, fuelling the dispute.

After a lengthy debate in the Commons, a Government motion condemning the strikes and calling for unions to continue discussions was approved by 293 votes to 15, a majority of 278.

A total of 13 Labour MPs voted against, as well as former party leader Jeremy Corbyn and Green Party MP Caroline Lucas.