Transport for Wales (TfW) is reminding customers to plan their Christmas Eve journeys carefully and only travel by train if necessary with strike action set to bring rail services to an early end.

The National Union of Rail, Maritime, and Transport Workers (RMT) have announced strike action will take place on December 24- 27, which will significantly disrupt the rail network across the whole of Wales, England and Scotland.

TfW is not involved in the industrial action. However, the industrial action resulting from the dispute between the unions and Network Rail means TfW will be unable to operate rail services on Network Rail infrastructure. Other operators’ services will also be impacted by the industrial action.

TfW is advising customers to only make essential journeys on Christmas Eve, and to aim to finish their journeys by midday as services will wind down in the afternoon ahead of the start of industrial action in the evening.

TfW services will not be running on Christmas Day or Boxing Day, resuming on 27 December – services on some routes will start later than usual that day due to the strike action. Core Valley Lines services will also not be running on New Year’s Day.

*RMT members from Network Rail have voted overwhelmingly to reject the latest offer from company bosses - 63.6% voted to reject the Network Rail offer on an 83% turnout.

The Network Rail offer included a 5pc and 4pc pay rise over a two-year period with thousands of job losses, 50pc cut in scheduled maintenance tasks and a 30pc increase in unsocial hours.

RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said: “This is a huge rejection of Network Rail’s substandard offer and shows that our members are determined to take further strike action in pursuit of a negotiated settlement.’’