Banbury rail passengers warned of changes due to strike action on Saturday (October 17)
Banbury rail passengers travelling this Saturday (October 17) have being advised to check their journeys ahead of a planned strike.
RMT union members working for Chiltern Railways will stage a 24-hour walkout on Saturday (October 17).
Union members will also hold a picket line protest outside Banbury station from 7.30am until noon.
Chiltern Railways expects most services to continue running as normal and says most passengers will experience a near-normal timetable despite the industrial action.
However, two long-distance services affecting Banbury will operate for only part of their usual journeys.
The 6.44am service from Stourbridge Junction to London Marylebone will start at Banbury instead, while the 7.32pm service from London Marylebone to Stourbridge Junction will terminate at Banbury.
The normal number of trains is expected to run between Banbury and London Marylebone throughout the day.
The strike follows an ongoing dispute over plans for driver-only operation on proposed East West Rail services.
The RMT is seeking guarantees that the safety-critical role of a second member of staff on board will be protected.
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said the union was determined to defend the role of train managers, arguing they helped protect passengers and ensure the safe operation of services.
He said: “Driver-only operation represents an unacceptable weakening of safety standards and threatens the vital role Train Managers play in protecting passengers and ensuring the safe operation of services.
“Chiltern Railways must stop ignoring the concerns of its frontline workforce and provide firm guarantees that safety-critical Train Manager roles will be protected on East West Rail.”
Chiltern Railways has apologised for any disruption and advised passengers to check their journeys on its app or online journey planner before travelling.
Picket lines are also planned at Birmingham Moor Street and Stourbridge Junction.