Sunday 23 August 2015 5:01 pm

It’s not just the TfL Tube strike: First Great Western 24 hour rail strike begins

It's not just the London Underground that has endured stoppages due to strike action.

Train services across Britain face disruption today, after workers from First Great Western walked out for 24 hours from midnight.

First Great Western runs services between London Paddington, south Wales, the Cotswolds, the Thames Valley region and the West of England. The rail operator's website lists all of the services which will be affected, however 70 per cent of its trains are running normally.

The members of the rail, maritime and transport union (RMT) are striking as part of an ongoing dispute over the new Hitachi intercity trains that transfer door operations from the guard to the driver.

The union says the move will dilute the role of guards as well as those of platform staff. They're also concerned about proposals to ditch the buffet facilities.

At the same time, First Great Western insists the new trains will be faster and more frequent, meaning there are more managers on board and not less.

"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," Mick Cash, leader of the RMT, said according to the BBC.

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

First Great Western has reiterated that the new Hitachi intercity trains would deliver "more seats, faster journey times and more frequent journeys for our passengers."

"Our plans mean more train managers and customer hosts on board our trains, not less."