DISRUPTION to Oxfordshire’s rail network ended yesterday evening after mechanics and train technicians returned to work following a three-day strike.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union walked out on Saturday after negotiations over new trains with First Great Western ground to a halt earlier in August.

The company, which runs trains between Oxford, Reading and Paddington, reported that only the Oxford to Worcester service would run on Saturday.

Yesterday and Sunday about 70 per cent of services, including those between Oxford and Paddington, resumed.

Train cancellations at the weekend made it more difficult for Oxfordshire residents travelling to the Reading music festival.

The strike occurred because the RMT union said First Great Western has not assured its members that jobs and will be protected with the introduction of new Hitachi Super Speed trains to replace the Intercity Fleet.

The new trains do not require guards to open doors, as the new trains have electronically operated carriage doors, and buffet facilities could to be removed.

A spokesman for First Great Western said: “The RMT says this is about protecting jobs, services and safety.

“But in truth they’ve had a series of concessions on the table for over a month that won’t see a single member of train staff lose their jobs, means more services not less, and is based on a method of operating trains that has worked safely across the UK rail network for decades.”