South Western Railway to increase services as Omicron subsides

Friday, 11 February 2022 00:00

South Western Railway (SWR) announced today (11th February) that a new timetable will be introduced from Monday 21st February that will see train services return to pre-Omicron levels.

The move comes as improving staff availability means that SWR can increase the number of trains it runs without compromising reliability for customers. The uplift is timely as more people return to the railway following the government’s work from home instruction being lifted.

The timetable will be almost identical to the one that served customers in December 2021, meaning that a whole host of services – including through trains to and from Exeter St Davids and Weymouth and a more frequent service on the Shepperton line – will be reinstated.

Earlier this year, SWR was forced to introduce a temporary timetable in response to staff absences caused by the spread of Omicron. This timetable has ensured reliability for customers during a challenging period, with SWR adding additional services as staff availability improved.

Details of service levels up until the uplift can be found here.

Commenting, SWR Managing Director Claire Mann said, “It has been a difficult period for our railway and the customers it serves, with significant staff shortages giving us no choice but to temporarily reduce our timetable last month.

“With staff availability now consistently improving, we are pleased to be able to announce this uplift, which will essentially see service levels return to where they were prior to the spread of Omicron.

“More and more people are returning to our railway, and this timetable will ensure that we match capacity and demand while delivering reliability for customers."

More from Local News

Bishop of Salisbury to Commission Eight Volunteer Chaplains for the LGBTQIA+ Community

The Bishop of Salisbury, the Rt Revd Stephen Lake, is to commission eight volunteer chaplains to offer affirming support to LGBTQIA+ Christians and those exploring faith.
Tri-County Summit Boosts Joint Effort to Tackle Rural Crime

Wiltshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson, has welcomed a renewed commitment to tackling rural crime following a tri‑county summit that brought together senior police leaders, MPs and representatives from rural organisations.
Local Voices Reveal Gaps and Solutions in Dementia Support

Safer and Supportive Salisbury (SaSS), the local community charity dedicated to building a safer and more supportive city, has published its Dementia Research Report 2025, an in-depth study into the experiences of people living with dementia, their carers, and dementia support providers across the Salisbury area.
Rock and Roll Man Interviews: Part 3 - Julian Bird & Gary Turner

Rock and Roll Man opens its UK tour at Salisbury Playhouse in February, and Salisbury Radio was invited to talk to some of the team behind the show.
The Spitfire Café Brings Family Fun to Cross Keys This February Half Term

Families looking for something fun and weather-proof to do this February half term are invited to Cross Keys Shopping Centre, Salisbury, where The Spitfire Café will be hosting a special Kids’ Club throughout the school holidays.
Local RNLI branch seeks more volunteers

The Salisbury and Wilton Fundraising branch of the RNLI is calling on local people to give a little time to suppor their fundraising efforts.
Wiltshire Council calls for fairer education funding as disparities persist

Wiltshire Council is urging local MPs to back its call for fairer education funding, highlighting major gaps between funding for pupils in Wiltshire compared to other parts of the country.
Rock and Roll Man Interviews: Part 2 - Constantine Maroulis

Rock and Roll Man opens its UK tour at Salisbury Playhouse in February, and Salisbury Radio was invited to talk to some of the team behind the show.