RMT, 27 July

When will action take place?

A national rail strike will take place on Wednesday 27 July. Network Rail members will strike from 2AM on 27 July for 24 hours, and RMT members of the train operating companies will take action from just after midnight until 11.59PM on the same day.

Core advice

There will be some disruption and cancellations to rail services affecting those travelling to Birmingham on Wednesday 27 July and on the morning of Thursday 28 July.

What will be the impact on rail services?

There will be disruption to services across the network. Some trains will be cancelled, and those that are running will stop earlier in the evening and start later the following day. Services that do operate may well be busier than usual.

If you are planning to travel by rail to Birmingham on the 27 July, the day before the Opening Ceremony on the 28, please check with your operator before you travel. If your train has been cancelled, you may not get on another train. Long distance coaches may be a better option: nationalexpress.com

If you are planning to travel to Birmingham on the morning of 28 July, services are expected to be disrupted due to the previous day’s industrial action. Some trains will be cancelled, and services will start later in the day. Please check with your operator before you travel. If your train has been cancelled, you may not get on another train. Long distance coaches may be a better option: nationalexpress.com

ASLEF, 30 July

A national rail strike will take place on Saturday 30 July. ASLEF members, including eight rail companies; Arriva Rail London; Greater Anglia; Great Western; Hull Trains; LNER; Southeastern; West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway – all will be taking industrial action on Saturday 30 July.

Core Advice

  • Check with your train operator before travelling:
    • If you are booked to travel to Birmingham on Avanti West Coast, Cross Country and Transport for Wales services be aware that services are likely to be very busy and there may be some changes to timetables so check before you travel.
    • West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway will be severely disrupted with no services on 30 July and only limited services on 31 July
  • Leave plenty of time for your journey
  • Consider how you will get to your venue and also how you will get back home again – some later services will be disrupted and those that are operating will be exceptionally busy.
  • Use the dedicated Games Journey Planner to check out all your travel options.
  • Consider pre-bookable Park and Ride. Additional spaces and locations have been added to the site from 22 July parkthecarhere.com/birmingham2022

 What will be the impact on rail services?

Services operated by Arriva Rail London, Greater Anglia, Great Western, Hull Trains, LNER, Southeastern, West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway will not be operating on Saturday 30 July. There is also the potential for disruptions to morning services Sunday 31 July.

Services operated by other train companies will be running but are likely to be very busy and there may be some changes to timetables so check before you travel.

Long Distance

Long distance services into the West Midlands operated by Avanti West Coast; Cross Country and Transport for Wales (TfW) are likely to very busy and there may be some changes. Check with your operator before you travel for any last minute changes and expect services to be busy.

If you are booked on West Midlands Railway orLondon Northwestern Railway these services will not be operating on Saturday 30 July. Services will resume on Sunday 31 although there may be disruption to some morning services.

If you do not have a train ticket booked for travel on Saturday 30 or Sunday 31 July it is likely to be very difficult to get a ticket on services operating as normal. Long distance coaches by be a better option: nationalexpress.com

Or check out the Games specific park and ride services: parkthecarhere.com/birmingham2022 additional sites will be added from 22 July

Travel within the West Midlands

Train services within the West Midlands will be severely disrupted on Saturday 30 July. Many train services will not be operating on Saturday 30 July, with some disruption continuing into the morning on Sunday 31 July.

If you're travelling locally walking and cycling could be the best way to get to Games venues. West Midlands Cycle Hire is available across the West Midlands. Bikes are available 24/7, with docking stations at major bus, metro and train stations, visitor attractions and city or town centres and Games venues. During the Games you can get two 30 minute bike rides every day for free. For more information on this offer please visit: wmcyclehire.co.uk

If you decide to bring your own bike, there is secure cycle parking at all venues.

For details on recommended cycle routes to your venue, please use the Games journey planner.

Local buses will be operating and can help to get to many of the venues. There will be some changes to services  - for full details please visit tfwm.org.uk

Use the dedicated Journey Planner to see your travel options.

31 July: Travel information following ASLEF rail strike

Due to industrial action by members of the ASLEF union, rail services operated by West Midlands Trains (WMT), which include West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway, will not be operating at all on Saturday 30 July. There may be follow on disruption continuing through Sunday 31 July AM for WMT services.

All other rail operators should be operating as normal on Sunday 31 July:

  • Avanti West Coast, Cross Country and TfW services to Birmingham International for events at the NEC
  • Avanti West Coast, Cross Country and TfW services to Birmingham New Street for events at Smithfield and Arena Birmingham
  • Chiltern Railways to Leamington Spa for the Bowls at Victoria Park

These rail services will be busy so ensure you book in advance and check with the operator for any last minute alterations before travelling.

If you were planning on using WMT services on Sunday morning, check before you travel. All your travel options can be found on our updated Games Journey Planner.

A range of additional park and ride / park and walk options to venues across the West Midlands are now available. You can also pre-book a parking place and take advantage of our shuttle bus into Birmingham city centre. For further details and to secure your ticket please go to: Spectator Parking for Birmingham 2022 (parkthecarhere.com).

Further information is also available on our dedicated Rail industrial action travel page.

Key information for each venue

Additional Park and Ride sites will be bookable from 22 July on parkthecarhere.com/birmingham2022

Venue Sport Date Advice
Arena Birmingham Gymnastics - Artistic 30 July

If you are travelling into Birmingham New Street by Avanti West Coast, Cross Country, Chiltern and Transport for Wales you should still be able to travel. Although services will be very busy.
Parking is available at parkthecarhere.com/birmingham2022
Local buses may be a good option to help you get to your venue. For further details go to tfwm.org.uk

For local journeys walking and cycling will help you to beat the crowds.
Arena Birmingham Gymnastics - Artistic 31 July

If you are travelling into Birmingham New Street by Avanti West Coast, Cross Country, Chiltern and Transport for Wales you should still be able to travel. Although services will be very busy.
Parking is available at parkthecarhere.com/birmingham2022
Local buses may be a good option to help you get to your venue. For further details go to tfwm.org.uk

For local journeys walking and cycling will help you to beat the crowds.
Birmingham City Centre Athletics - Marathon 30 July

Consider city centre parking options. However, roads will be a lot busier so leave extra time for your journey.
Local buses may be a good option to help you get to your venue. For further details go to tfwm.org.uk

For local journeys walking and cycling will help you to beat the crowds.
Coventry Stadium Rugby Sevens 30 and 31 July

Avanti West Cost and Cross Country rail services will still be operating to Coventry Station. From there you can take a shuttle bus to the venue. Park and ride options are available at:

Spectator Parking for Birmingham 2022 (parkthecarhere.com)
Pre bookable parking at Coventry Station available from Avanti: https://prebook.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/en/

You can also park elsewhere in the city centre at other off street car parks and take advantage of the shuttle bus from Coventry station
Local buses may be a good option to help you get to your venue. For further details go to tfwm.org.uk

For local journeys walking and cycling will help you to beat the crowds.
Edgbaston Stadium Cricket T20 30 and 31 July

A dedicated shuttle bus will be running from Smallbrook Queensway in Birmingham City Centre to Speedwell Road (Calthorpe Park) for the duration of the Games.
Pre-bookable Park and Ride is also available: parkthecarhere.com/birmingham2022
Local buses may be a good option to help you get to your venue. For further details go to tfwm.org.uk

For local journeys walking and cycling will help you to beat the crowds.
NEC Badminton 30 and 31 July

If you are travelling into Birmingham International by Avanti West Coast, Cross Country, Avanti and Transport for Wales you should still be able to travel. Although services will be very busy, most trains are running as normal to Birmingham International
Parking is available at Birmingham International avantiwestcoast.co.uk and also at the NEC parkthecarhere.com/birmingham2022
Local buses may be a good option to help you get to your venue. For further details go to tfwm.org.uk

For local journeys walking and cycling will help you to beat the crowds.
NEC Boxing 30 and 31 July

If you are travelling into Birmingham International by Avanti West Coast, Cross Country, Avanti and Transport for Wales you should still be able to travel. Although services will be very busy, most trains are running as normal to Birmingham International
Parking is available at Birmingham International avantiwestcoast.co.uk and also at the NEC parkthecarhere.com/birmingham2022
Local buses may be a good option to help you get to your venue. For further details go to tfwm.org.uk

For local journeys walking and cycling will help you to beat the crowds.
NEC Netball 30 and 31 July

If you are travelling into Birmingham International by Avanti West Coast, Cross Country, Avanti and Transport for Wales you should still be able to travel. Although services will be very busy, most trains are running as normal to Birmingham International
Parking is available at Birmingham International avantiwestcoast.co.uk and also at the NEC parkthecarhere.com/birmingham2022
Local buses may be a good option to help you get to your venue. For further details go to tfwm.org.uk


For local journeys walking and cycling will help you to beat the crowds.
NEC Table Tennis and Para Table Tennis 30 and 31 July

If you are travelling into Birmingham International by Avanti West Coast, Cross Country, Avanti and Transport for Wales you should still be able to travel. Although services will be very busy, most trains are running as normal to Birmingham International
Parking is available at Birmingham International avantiwestcoast.co.uk and also at the NEC parkthecarhere.com/birmingham2022
Local buses may be a good option to help you get to your venue. For further details go to tfwm.org.uk


For local journeys walking and cycling will help you to beat the crowds.
NEC Weightlifting 30 and 31 July

If you are travelling into Birmingham International by Avanti West Coast, Cross Country, Avanti and Transport for Wales you should still be able to travel. Although services will be very busy, most trains are running as normal to Birmingham International.
Parking is available at Birmingham International avantiwestcoast.co.uk and also at the NEC parkthecarhere.com/birmingham2022
Local buses may be a good option to help you get to your venue. For further details go to tfwm.org.uk


For local journeys walking and cycling will help you to beat the crowds.
Sandwell Aquatics Centre Swimming and Para Swimming 30 July

Train services will face significant disruption to The Hawthorns and Smethwick Galton Bridge.
Take the Metro to The Hawthorns and then use the dedicated shuttle bus to get to the venue.
Consider using Park and Ride - parkthecarhere.com/birmingham2022
Local buses may be a good option to help you get to your venue. For further details go to tfwm.org.uk


For local journeys walking and cycling will help you to beat the crowds.
Sandwell Aquatics Centre Swimming and Para Swimming 31 July

Local rail services may face some disruption in the morning as a result of industrial action the previous day.
Metro will be very busy.
Consider using Park and Ride - parkthecarhere.com/birmingham2022
Local buses may be a good option to help you get to your venue. For further details go to tfwm.org.uk


For local journeys walking and cycling will help you to beat the crowds.
Smithfield Beach Volleyball 30 July

If you are travelling into Birmingham New Street by Avanti West Coast / Cross Country, Chiltern or Transport for Wales you should still be able to travel. However local train services will be disrupted.
Consider using Park and Ride - parkthecarhere.com/birmingham2022
Local buses may be a good option to help you get to your venue. For further details go to tfwm.org.uk

For local journeys walking and cycling will help you to beat the crowds.
Smithfield Beach Volleyball 31 July

If you are travelling into Birmingham New Street by Avanti West Coast / Cross Country, Chiltern or Transport for Wales you should still be able to travel. However local train services may still be disrupted in the morning, following Saturday’s industrial action. Consider using Park and Ride - parkthecarhere.com/birmingham2022
Local buses may be a good option to help you get to your venue. For further details go to tfwm.org.uk

For local journeys walking and cycling will help you to beat the crowds.
Smithfield Basketball 3x3 and Wheelchair Basketball 3x3 30 July

If you are travelling into Birmingham New Street by Avanti West Coast / Cross Country, Chiltern or Transport for Wales you should still be able to travel. However local train services will be disrupted.
Consider using Park and Ride - parkthecarhere.com/birmingham2022
Local buses may be a good option to help you get to your venue. For further details go to tfwm.org.uk


For local journeys walking and cycling will help you to beat the crowds.
Smithfield Basketball 3x3 and Wheelchair Basketball 3x3 31 July

If you are travelling into Birmingham New Street by Avanti West Coast / Cross Country, Chiltern or Transport for Wales you should still be able to travel. However local train services may still be disrupted in the morning, following Saturday’s industrial action.
Consider using Park and Ride - parkthecarhere.com/birmingham2022
Local buses may be a good option to help you get to your venue. For further details go to tfwm.org.uk


For local journeys walking and cycling will help you to beat the crowds.
Sutton Park Triathlon and Para Triathlon  31 July

Train services to Sutton Coldfield may be disrupted in the morning.
Park and Ride is available from Four Oaks station - parkthecarhere.com/birmingham2022
Local buses may be a good option to help you get to your venue. For further details go to tfwm.org.uk


For local journeys walking and cycling will help you to beat the crowds.
University of Birmingham Hockey Centre Hockey 30 July

No rail service to University Station. Consider walking from Birmingham City Centre if you can or use public buses. 
Park and Ride is also available - parkthecarhere.com/birmingham2022
Local buses may be a good option to help you get to your venue. For further details go to tfwm.org.uk


For local journeys walking and cycling will help you to beat the crowds
University of Birmingham Hockey Centre Hockey 31 July

Possible follow on disruption to services to University Station on Sunday morning following the rail industrial action on Saturday. Consider walking from Birmingham City Centre if you can or use public buses. 
Park and Ride is also available - parkthecarhere.com/birmingham2022
Local buses may be a good option to help you get to your venue. For further details go to tfwm.org.uk


For local journeys walking and cycling will help you to beat the crowds.
University of Birmingham Squash Centre Squash 30 July

No rail service to University Station. Consider walking from Birmingham City Centre if you can or use public buses. 
Park and Ride is also available - parkthecarhere.com/birmingham2022
Local buses may be a good option to help you get to your venue. For further details go to tfwm.org.uk


For local journeys walking and cycling will help you to beat the crowds.
University of Birmingham Squash Centre Squash 31 July

Possible follow on disruption to services to University Station on Sunday morning following the rail industrial action on Saturday. Consider walking from Birmingham City Centre if you can or use public buses. 
Park and Ride is also available - parkthecarhere.com/birmingham2022
Local buses may be a good option to help you get to your venue. For further details go to tfwm.org.uk


For local journeys walking and cycling will help you to beat the crowds.
Victoria Park, Leamington Spa Lawn Bowls and Para Lawn Bowls 30 July

Most rail services should be operating  - check with your train operator before travelling.
Pre bookable Park and Walk is available - parkthecarhere.com/birmingham2022


For local journeys walking and cycling will help you to beat the crowds.
Victoria Park, Leamington Spa Lawn Bowls and Para Lawn Bowls 31 July

Rail service should be operating as normal to Leamington Spa. Check with your operator before travelling. 
Pre bookable Park and Walk is available - parkthecarhere.com/birmingham2022


For local journeys walking and cycling will help you to beat the crowds

 

Travel options available during industrial action

Venue Park & Ride (Bus and Coach) Spectator Park & Walk City Centre Parking and Shuttle / Public Bus Coach & Walk Coach & Shuttle Bus
Arena Birmingham    
Coventry Stadium    
Edgbaston Stadium  
NEC    
Sandwell Aquatics Centre      
Smithfield    
Sutton Park      
University of Birmingham Hockey and Squash Centre    
Victoria Park