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. 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. 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. 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) 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 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. 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 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 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
|
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
|
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.
|
Sandwell Aquatics Centre | Swimming and Para Swimming | 30 July |
Train services will face significant disruption to The Hawthorns and Smethwick Galton Bridge.
|
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.
|
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. 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 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.
|
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.
|
Sutton Park | Triathlon and Para Triathlon | 31 July |
Train services to Sutton Coldfield may be disrupted in the morning.
|
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.
|
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.
|
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.
|
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.
|
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.
|
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.
|
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 |