Hi All. I am looking for some help and advice on what to do. A few days ago, I bought a Gatwick Airport to Reading single, route via Gomshall. This is for travel on Sunday 4th February. I now see that the GWR website is saying that there is planned engineering work between Reading and North Camp with replacement buses, but it also says that due to industrial action, GWR trains will not run between Blackwater and Gatwick Airport (screenshot attached). As my ticket isn't valid via any other route (that I am aware), I cannot see how I can actually get home using this ticket. Given this situation, would this ticket be accepted along an alternative route, such as via Clapham Junction? I am unsure what to do, so any advice would be welcome.
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Gatwick Airport to Reading - Sunday 4th Feb
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There has, on some dates in the recent past, been an easement to allow journeys to be made via Clapham Junction when there are no trains via Gomshall.
The relevant date isn't explicitly mentioned here https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/national-routeing-guide-update.99396/page-54#post-6585995 but there isn't any other way to make the journey you have already paid for.
The relevant date isn't explicitly mentioned here https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/national-routeing-guide-update.99396/page-54#post-6585995 but there isn't any other way to make the journey you have already paid for.
Thank you both. Excellent information and advice. Yes, I do have a railcard. I've managed to find a split ticket via Clapham and on SWR to Reading, for pretty much the same price as my current ticket. I'll therefore claim the refund and buy this alternative ticket, and at least I am no worse off money-wise. Also, I know my ticket will be valid, so no potential issues.
Personally, I avoid using rail at all during the industrial action as it is so unreliable.
if all else fails Gatwick Airport has a relatively frequent national Express service to Heathrow Terminal 5 from where you can catch a frequent railair bus to Reading Station. There are tvms at both gatwick terminals for the nat exp leg. Journey time is generally around 2 hr 20 mins.
On a rail industrial action day is will be both busy and expensive.
if all else fails Gatwick Airport has a relatively frequent national Express service to Heathrow Terminal 5 from where you can catch a frequent railair bus to Reading Station. There are tvms at both gatwick terminals for the nat exp leg. Journey time is generally around 2 hr 20 mins.
On a rail industrial action day is will be both busy and expensive.
I don't rate anyone's chances of turning up and getting accommodated on a coach at Gatwick at a reasonable price, and the railair coach from Heathrow to Reading isn't exactly cheap either.
The original poster appears to have found a rail journey via Clapham Junction they are comfortable taking. Even with a reduced timetable, travelling from Gatwick to Clapham Junction is still likely to be straightforward
You've edited my post to remove the bit where I said it would be both busy and expensive.
Sadly everytime that GTR has industrial action especially at a weekend (only GTR serve Gatwick to Clapham) even the advertised service totally falls apart because of lack of train crew.
I would still take the risk rather than an expensive coach. Even if it fails apart, something will be running. It's not as if its just one train an hour.
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