Would love help on a few things regarding the rail strike---
1) I land in London on August 18th in the morning and need to get to Cambridge---does the rail strike affect this line?
2) If the rail strike does affect this line, what is the best alternative transportation to get to Cambridge?
Thanks!!
If you absolutely must go to Cambridge on August 18, you better plan on taking alternate transportation as not only will the strike be shutting down the Greater Anglia train line from London to Cambridge, but 2,500 Members of the TSSA union—which includes train controllers—will also be on strike. This means there will be a near shutdown of the rail network. Things likely will be a mess on August 19 in addition to the formally announced strike dates of August 18 and 20. Flixbus or National Express buses from London to Cambridge should be an alternative, but they will be in heavy demand because of the disruptions.
Keep in mind on August 19 the London Tube workers will be striking. In addition, London city bus drivers have voted to strike on August 19 and 20.
if any trains will run on that day the individual train companies (in this case Greater Anglia (who ran no trains at all to Cambridge in last month's strike), Great Northern and Thameslink) will post what is called an Emergency Timetable (sometimes called a Strike Timetable) listing all the trains they hope to run after consultation with the unions and company management, two or three days prior to the strike. They won't necessarily meet all aspects of that timetable.
Coach (will be very full probably), and not easy, or car (either an airport service by a Cambridge minicab company or a car you rent and drive yourself (not always a good idea on busy motorways (Heathrow to M4 to M25 to M11 to Cambridge or Gatwick to M23 to M25 to Dartford Crossing (£2.50 paid online) to M25 to M11) )right after a long flight which is tiring and likely under the effect of jetlag) are likely the other choices.
Thank you! This information is so helpful!!
