Royal Ascot racegoers delighted as train strike causes little disruption

The much publicised strikes by members of the RMT Union affecting South West Trains appeared to be having little impact on the arrival or mood of racegoers at Royal Ascot on Tuesday.

The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) strike on South Western Railway services across all five days of the meeting had many fearing the worst, but passengers at London Waterloo reported few issues with the service. Indeed, a swan on the line appeared to be causing more of an problem than the strike itself as racegoers reported smooth journeys

Henry Harriet, who said he had been to "too many Ascots to remember", was waiting for the 11.50am service from Waterloo, and said: "I've been to Royal Ascot plenty of times but it's fine here, there's a train every 15 minutes so they have handled it well.

We made it: racegoers beat the strike as they arrive at Ascot racecourseCredit: Edward Whitaker

"Assuming I complete my journey and I can get a seat I will be as happy as I can be."

See the full guide on how to get to Royal Ascot here

Richard, another regular at Royal Ascot, was also pleased with the organisation at Waterloo. He said: "It's been fine, no problems at all. I've been going for the last few years and today seems as good as ever."

Various other racegoers at Waterloo described their journey to Ascot as fine with another racegoer saying: "I think the strike has kept people away so it is much quieter and we have more chance of getting a seat."

At Clapham Junction, Britain's busiest railway station and a key changing point on the way to Ascot, the scene was much the same, with lower numbers of racegoers than usual but plenty of trains to meet their needs.

James Westendorp (left): waiting for the train with friends

Ascot racegoer James Westendorp and his companions were typical in being more concerned about the drizzling skies and the prospects for Laurens in the Queen Anne Stakes than the possibility of train disruption.

"We were determined the rail strike wouldn't stop us getting to Ascot. I've been every year for the past six years and wouldn't miss it," Westendorp said. "The strike didn't put us off as and our confidence has been rewarded as there are no problems with the trains and fewer people travelling."

The lack of disruption for those heading to Ascot was in contrast to travellers earlier on Tuesday in Surbiton, south-west London, where queues spilled out of the station and onto the high street.

A statement from SWR on Tuesday said: "Overall we're glad the revised timetables are working and our intention is to keep that up for the next four days.

Plenty of time to study the form: one racegoer takes the train troubles in his strideCredit: Edward Whitaker

"We had a swan that was causing some issues at Staines, but we have overcome that particular issue and there was a bit of a problem with people having to queue at Surbiton for a long time as it's a key station for us. We will work to try and avoid crowding on the platforms.

"Generally things are going well, but we would much rather be running the normal service for all of our passengers."

Racegoers arriving at Ascot station were in jovial order as they made the walk up to the course. Gary Taylor from Windsor said: "We normally drive but took the train this year and it was absolutely fine. We were able to get a seat and it wasn't crammed or difficult at all."

Those sentiments were echoed by Andrew Holt from Swindon, who said: "It was absolutely no problem at all. There was a little queue when we had to change trains, but they opened an extra gate and there was a train waiting for us. I think they've had a real effort."

On arrival at the station, racegoers were greeted by ten or so ticket touts, including around half a dozen around 50 yards or so from a police officers managing the arrivals.

Unlike Cheltenham, Ascot has no injunction in place against touts and is working with the local council to monitor the number of people illegally buying and selling tickets, as well as moving on anyone found to be touting.

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