What do the train strikes and weather-related delays mean for the people in Cardiff?
Commuters could not return to their homes, students had to miss lectures, and parties were cancelled in Cardiff this week because of train delays on almost all routes in Wales.
The advent calendar of railway strike days in the UK, alongside subzero temperatures have called for significant frustration in those who take the train to Cardiff and those who depend on people coming to the Welsh capital every day.
The Cardiff Central station at 6PM on Thursday the 15th of December is crowded with people who want to return home after a day of work or a visit, and they look for announcements as their trains get more and more delayed.
“I won’t get to see my three-month-old son today, but I still hope to get home by tomorrow,” said James Lawrence who had to come to Cardiff for work from London. He said he just wishes the trip didn’t take place during the strikes and the holiday season, as it’s announced that his train is going to be at least three hours late.
Temperatures in Wales have fallen below zero and that has affected the running of even the limited service over the multiple-day industrial action. Many had to work from home, miss commitments. People chose to avoid coming to Cardiff during strikes and that has affected businesses.
“Almost nobody came in and we sold under 100 drinks on Tuesday. It’s very little,” said Cameron Long who works at Starbucks on St. Mary’s road, the closest Starbucks to the station.
The Great Western is a Wetherspoons pub, outside Cardiff Central. It heavily relies on people stopping by and buying drinks there on their way to, or from the train station, especially in the evenings or during the holidays.
“We had no customers during the strike days. It was pretty dead in the city as well”, said Ryan Hallet, his shifts working at the pub fell onto the days of the strikes.
With future cancellations in mind, some events in Cardiff were cancelled. Venues such as Indigo hotel announced the availability of function rooms on Christmas eve.
Even though many had to cancel plans, some found the strikes to even bring profit. With the cancellations of some evening trains, people had to find emergency accommodation. They had to turn to affordable options close to the train station.
One of the managers at Sleeperz Hotel, at Cardiff’s Central square said, “We have had one or two cancellations, but we are very busy. There are reservations coming all evening”.
