Your support helps us tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to big tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the finances of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word,’ which shines a light on American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know the importance of analyzing the facts of messaging. .
At such a critical moment in American history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to continue sending journalists to tell both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to exclude Americans from our reporting and analysis with a paywall. We believe that quality journalism should be available to everyone, and paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes a difference.
Railway passengers are urged not to travel even once Great Western Railway (GWR) main lines on Sunday 15 December.
The company usually connects London Paddington with the South Wales and the West of England. But GWR expects “significant disruption to services this week due to crew availability”. Many employees do not have a contractual obligation to work on Sundays.
Passengers are warned that “a significantly reduced, altered timetable will be in effect for intercity trains” between:
- London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads
- London Paddington and South Wales
- London Paddington and Devon and Cornwall
The company says: “Fewer trains will run on these routes, and those that do will be extremely busy. Some further services may also be canceled or delayed at short notice.
Read more: ‘No way to run a railway’ – how the Sunday blues depressed Britain’s weary train passengers
“Local services in the Exeter and Bristol areas are also expected to be affected.
“Customers should change their plans if possible and travel only if absolutely necessary.
GWR has asked people planning to visit the Bath Christmas market on Sunday not to take the train. Last weekend the rail company said trains may not be able to reach Bath Spa station due to overcrowding.
Anyone with a GWR ticket purchased for Sunday can use it on Monday 16 December or request a full refund.
In north-west England, state-owned Northern is warning rail passengers of mass cancellations on Sunday.
The rail operator, which is the UK’s second largest, said: “This Sunday, December 15, is expected to see further disruption in the North West. As some routes are expected to be affected due to unavailability of railway staff.
“Recently we have seen a higher level of cancellations in the North West and for that we are sorry. The main reason is the availability of train staff, especially on Sundays, which are contractually outside the working week.”
Last week, services from Manchester Piccadilly to destinations including Buxton, Chester and Crewe, as well as the Blackpool South to Preston line, were hit hard by staff shortages.
Sunday will bring good news for some northern commuters in North East England: the first passenger trains in 60 years will run between Newcastle and Ashington on the Northumberland coast.
Trains will run twice an hour, except in the evening and on Sundays when they will run. The maximum fare for a 35-minute journey is £3 one way. A new station serving Blyth is completed on the line and will open during 2025, along with several others.