First Great Western

Boost for Devon rail commuters

Rail Minister Claire Perry has welcomed the first major redesign of First Great Western’s mainline timetable in Devon and Cornwall for seven years by waving off the first new 0706 retimed service.

The changes launched on Monday (15 December) see an improved service for the South West, providing an earlier morning direct service from London to Plymouth and Cornwall and shaving over 30...

Sheme to improve access into and around Plymouth rail station is now complete

Developed by Plymouth City Council and its highways contractor Amey in partnership with First Great Western and Network Rail, the scheme aims to better connect the train station with the city centre and has been part-funded by the Department for Transport (DfT) and Sustrans, the national walking and cycling charity.

Improvements include new footways between North Road East and the...

First Great Western cleaners stage third walkout

First Great Western (FGW) train cleaners have walked out for a third time in a dispute over pay and zero-hours contracts.

South West members of the RMT union working for cleaning contractors Mitie went on strike at 6am on Thursday 7 November and are not due to return to work until 5.59am on Saturday (9 November).

London-based workers will not work thier shifts between 6am on...

First Great Western cleaners in second walkout over pay

Cleaners on First Great Western (FGW) trains are embarking on their second 24-hour strike today (Friday 25 October) over pay and contracts.

Members of the RMT union working for sub-contractors MITIE on First Great Western are walking out in a dispute over a 2% pay offer and zero hours contracts.

In a statement, the union described the action as a "fight for a living wage and...

Government announces changes to rail ticket prices

The Government will bring in new measures to cut the cost of rail travel for commuters.

The measures would limit the rail industry’s powers to increase rail fares as well as ensuring the sale of tickets was more flexible and more easily understood so that customers can get the best price.

The move comes from Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin’s Fares and Ticketing Review,...

RMT members working on First Great Western to hold 24-hour strike

Members of the RMT working for sub-contractors Mitie on First Great Western will strike for 24 hours from Friday morning (11 October) in what the union has described as "a fight for a living wage and workplace justice".

The strike action follows a vote for action by members of the The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers which will see the sub-contracted cleaners walk...

First Great Western secures new deal to operate train services in the south west

The government has announced that First Great Western Ltd will continue to operate trains between London Paddington and the south west until September 2015.

First Group's First Great Western (FGW) company has reached agreement with the government to continue running the franchise to operate trains between London Paddington, the Cotswolds, south Wales and the south west.

The...

Final phase of train station access improvements to begin

The fourth and final phase of access improvements into and around Plymouth train station will begin on Monday 16 September.

Developed by Plymouth City Council and its highways contractor Amey in partnership with First Great Western and Network Rail, the scheme aims to better connect the train station with the city centre and is funded by the Department for Transport and Sustrans, the...

Next phase of train station 'gateway' improvements set to begin

The next phase of work to improve access to Plymouth train station will begin on Monday 17 June the Council have announced.

The main road into the station, which runs from North Road East to Saltash Road, is set to benefit from new footways, cycle parking, safer pedestrian crossing points (including two new zebra crossings) and better street lighting.

This is the third phase in...

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