STRIKES are set to go ahead on First Great Western trains over the bank holiday weekend.

RMT union members held a strike on Sunday and a further strike is set to take place from Friday (August 28) until Monday (August 31.)

No trains between Weymouth and Westbury will be running during the strike with passengers being advised to take South West Trains services from Salisbury to Southampton and change for connecting services towards Weymouth for Dorchester, Upwey and Weymouth.

The dispute, which also saw staff strike in July, has emerged from plans to introduce new Hitachi Inter City Express trains which the union says could compromise safety and cost jobs.

Speaking about Sunday’s strikes, Mike Cash RMT general secretary said: “The action today is being solidly supported across First Great Western and the union salutes the unity and determination of our members in this long-running dispute.

“Although we have held many hours of talks with First Great Western we have not been able to make enough significant progress over the core issues at the heart of the dispute – drivers being forced to take over door and despatch functions which downgrades the safety-critical role of guards, removal of catering services and the threat to jobs among the train maintenance engineers.

“The union remains available for further talks next week as we push for a fair resolution that protects jobs, services and safety?."