Fresh Christmas travel guidance as train company urges Britons to ditch 'super-sized luggage'

Great Western Railway (GWR) has encouraged passengers to ditch their "super-sized luggage" for more travel-friendly options.

A spokesperson told GB News: "We're seeing more and more people struggling on station stairways and trying to board trains with unwieldy, super-sized luggage, which can then block aisles, exits and seats.

"Instead, we're asking them to consider bringing a standard-sized suitcase which fits comfortably in the boot of a car and can be stored in luggage racks at the end of a carriage, or, even better, a couple of pieces of cabin-style luggage which can be stored in overhead racks or under seats.

"There’s plenty of space on board our trains for sensible-sized luggage and this is about offering help and guidance to customers."

GWR has published essential guidance on what passengers can and cannot bring on board.

Passengers were told: "If you’re planning to travel with us, please think carefully about what you need for your trip.

"There is plenty of room for cabin-style hand luggage, laptop bags, and handbags, under seats and in the overhead racks.

"We have limited space for larger, standard suitcase-size bags (up to 25 x 40 x 75 cm) in the luggage rack at the end of each carriage."

As for what passengers should leave at home, GWR urged travellers to avoid bringing more than three pieces of luggage.

They also advised passengers not to bring "anything you can’t carry or easily move about".

They explained: "We do not recommend bringing extra-large bags as they can be difficult to manoeuvre inside the train and staff are unable to help with them."

Passengers who might require assistance on their journeys should note that staff must be able to lift any items safely.

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Customers are therefore advised to bring no more than two large items (no heavier than 23kg each) and a single small item.

For important information on the Christmas period and rail improvement works across the train operating country, passengers can visit Great Western Railway's official website.

Britons looking to travel abroad over the festive season have also been issued international travel warnings.

Holidaymakers were alerted to a threat of "violent robbery" when visiting Belgium, with tourists told to "take extra care".