All train services run by Arriva Trains Wales will be cancelled on January 4 due to industrial action, the company has confirmed.

Arriva Trains Wales is embroiled in a row with drivers unions over terms and conditions.

Rail union Aslef said its members will walk out on January 4 , the first day back to work for many commuters after the festive break.

Union leaders said an overtime ban which started earlier this week was already having an impact, claiming that like many train operators, ATW relies on drivers working overtime.

The union dismissed company claims that a new offer had been made.

No services on Monday, disruption likely on Tuesday... and no buses
A spokesman for the train company said: “Arriva Trains Wales can confirm that the threatened 24 hour industrial action by driver unions (ASLEF and RMT) is expected to go ahead on Monday 4 January.

“This will result in the cancellation of all Arriva Trains Wales services on this day and may also cause some early morning service start up disruption on Tuesday 5 January.

“We deeply regret this disruption and continue to do all we can to avert strike action however we are advising customers to make alternative travel arrangements for Monday 4 January and to check their travel plans for Tuesday morning, 5th January.

“An indefinite duration train driver over-time ban is also currently in force which may impact some timetabled services until the dispute is resolved.”

More: Staff shortage leads to Christmas Eve train cancellations

HR Director for Arriva Trains Wales, Gareth Thomas said: “We are extremely disappointed that the train drivers unions National Executive have not accepted our latest offer of improvements to terms, conditions and pay for their members, and that they have opted to take industrial action, even though we submitted a revised proposal to them on 23rd December following productive pre-Christmas talks.

“Directors at Arriva Trains Wales have been in contact almost every day with union officials in a bid to resolve this issue and stress the urgency of the situation if disruption to customers was to be avoided.”

The company added that it would not be possible to provide replacement bus services as there are insufficient numbers of buses available to use to cover the 1000+ services operated each day.

More: Arriva Trains Wales drivers still set to walk out on first day back after Christmas holidays

'There's no new offer from the company' - union
But Simon Weller, Aslef’s national organiser, who is leading negotiations for the drivers, said: “The company has not made a new offer. It has sent us a form of words. But it is not new and it is not an offer.”

Aslef said it was available for talks to resolve the dispute, but added there was nothing at the moment to discuss.

The pay side of the dispute has been accepted, but Aslef claims the company is trying to “railroad through” changes to terms and conditions.

Information including special ticket arrangements for customers to complete journeys at other times, ticket acceptances with other rail operators and ticket refunds can be found on www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/ia2016.

Source: WalesOnline 31 Dec 2015

For further information on how to make alternative journey arrangements by bus, please visit our Journey Planner and select 'bus only' as your mode. Alternatively, please phone us on our local rate number 0300 200 22 33 but please be aware that due to the strike action and recent inclement weather, we are experiencing exceptionally high call volumes.