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Train services along the Rhymney line and Ebbw Valley line will be cancelled on three separate days later this month due to railway strikes across the UK.
Services will be cancelled on Tuesday, June 21; Thursday, June 23 and Saturday, June 25, Transport for Wales (TfW) has confirmed.
Strike action has been called by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT).
The union has said 50,000 of its members will go on strike and described it as the largest strike in the UK for more than 30 years.
RMT is in a dispute with Network Rail, not TfW. However, as Network Rail controls the signals along the Rhymney line, TfW services will be impacted while strike action goes ahead.
TfW has also said there will be disruption in the days before and after the strike action.
The majority of TfW services across the Wales and Borders network will be suspended, with only services between Radyr and Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil still running.
In a statement, TfW said: “We are working through the details to help our customers understand how they might be affected. We will provide an update for our customers via the TfW website as soon as the details have been finalised.”
The Welsh Government-owned company, which took over responsibility for the Wales and Borders franchise from Arriva back in 2018, has also confirmed it will be suspending sales of advance tickets for the strike dates and season ticket holders will be able to apply for compensation.
“Customers with existing non-season tickets valid for travel from Tuesday, June 21 to Saturday, June 25 can use those tickets anytime between Monday, June 20 and Monday, June 27. Alternatively, customers can claim a full refund, with no admin fee charged.
Caerphilly’s Labour Senedd Member Hefin David said: “This is inconvenient for passengers but I also understand that TfW are doing their best to minimise the effects wherever possible.
“However, as TfW do not run the signalling on the Rhymney Valley line, trains coming through Caerphilly will be affected – along with many others across the whole of the UK.
“I will continue to liaise with TfW and Network Rail and will support people however I can.”
Conservative Shadow Transport Minister Natasha Asghar, who represents the South Wales East region, said she hopes “a resolution is reached as soon as possible so rail services can return to normal”.
Ms Asghar said: “Whilst I support workers’ right to strike, this looming rail walkout is set to cause huge disruption not just in Caerphilly, but also across Wales and the rest of the UK.
“In the meantime, it is absolutely paramount that TfW pulls out all the stops to put on alternatives in a bid to minimise disruption to people across Wales.”
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