TRAIN operator GWR is reminding customers prior to the Bank Holiday weekend to avoid travelling by train, and to only use the services if really necessary, freeing up space for essential journeys.

Social distancing guidance means that seats have been blocked off and trains can only carry about a 10th of the usual number of passengers. This significantly reduces the number of people who can safely travel on a service.

To allow people who have to travel the best opportunity to do so safely, GWR is asking customers to consider if their journey is really necessary and to not use trains for leisure purposes or for their daily exercise.

GWR Interim Managing Director Matthew Golton said: “With social distancing guidance in place we are able to carry as little as a 10th of the usual number of passengers, and customers are not yet able to use trains as freely as they once did.

“We are doing everything we can to carry as many people, safely, as we can. This will make sure that those who absolutely need to travel by train can do so. But I must ask you, is your journey really necessary?.”

The company is doing everything it can to enable social distancing to be adhered at stations and on board but warns that it may not be possible at all points throughout a journey.

Despite the train operator increasing the number of services in accordance with the Government’s easement strategy, even if GWR was to return to their pre-lockdown timetable, only a fraction of travellers would be able to safely socially distance once on board.

Great Western Railway (GWR) provides high speed, commuter, regional and branch line train services. It helps more than 100 million passengers reach their destinations every year - across South Wales, the West Country, the Cotswolds, and large parts of Southern England. GWR is a FirstGroup company.