Last updated – Sunday 7 May
All conference attendees should be aware that industrial strike action means that severe disruption to the train network is expected on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 May. This will especially affect those looking to get back to London for onward travel on the Saturday once the conference ends. There will be no South Western Railway trains running between Basingstoke and Southampton Central so the alternative options given below will need to be utilised by delegates to get back to London.
Attendees are advised to make alternative arrangements for London-bound travel; options include booking an airport car service. This is a cost-effective option as a one-way journey, and attendees may look to arrange to share a car with others going to Heathrow.
Attendees should also consider taking the National Express coach service. Helpfully, the coach picks up at Highfield campus. According to their timetable, there are direct coaches leaving from the University on Saturday 13 May at 13.15 and 16.45 (journey time 1h30 approx).
There are also coaches leaving the University later that day at 17.15 and 19.45 – though please carefully note these later journeys involve a change (at London Victoria Coach Station) and have an overall duration of 3+ hours.
If you have booked train travel for 13th May already then you should consult the relevant train operating company regarding obtaining a refund.
For those travelling back on Sunday 14th May, please be advised that there are bus replacement services in operation from Southampton Central station to Basingstoke so do check the South Western Railway site for details. Alternatively, see National Express coach service where there are coaches picking up from the University campus from as early as 6am.
We are continuing to monitor the situation and will make updates to this page if there are any significant developments.