READING residents are “struggling to feel bad” as continuous train strikes are “a nuisance”.

Railway strikes have been ongoing for several months with more planned this weekend (Saturday, August 26).

We asked Reading Chronicle readers how they have been affected by the train strikes and many agreed that it was “a nightmare”.

Sylvia Lewandowska, 46, an NHS orbital prosthetist at Royal Berkshire Hospital, said her journey to commute from London Paddington was delayed by an hour, forcing her to reschedule four appointments.

She said: “I have to wait an hour for my train so all my patients will have to wait.

“Whatever the reason is for strikes, they shouldn’t affect working people who can’t change their situation.

“It’s affecting my patients because they are from different parts of the UK and many are elderly.”

READ MORE: Patients 'left waiting' after train strikes delay hospital staff getting to work

Andrew Lenaghan agreed: “It hasn’t affected me personally, but I think it is disgusting that they targeted the British public trying to get to work, getting to concerts, sports events.”

Train strikes this weekend (August 26) have caused disruption to Reading Festival, horse racing event in Windsor and rugby at Twickenham.

Resident, Ella Mitchell, said: “It is hard to feel bad for the strikers now because it has been going on for so long. I know that is the point as they don’t want to back down but when it is affecting everyday people from getting to work, it is a nuisance”.

Another resident, Karl O’Brien, agreed as he said the “novelty is wearing off”.

One local, under the name ‘absolutleysickofit’ on the Reading Chronicle, said they are “becoming a little tired” and “sympathy is beginning to wane”.

The resident added that it is clear that “management are not listening”, questioning is it time to “take other action”?

Another resident, under the name ‘Thestellartruthtellar’, said the pay rise amount “will never recoup the amount that they have lost through striking”.

On the other hand, resident Bill Flaherty said, “we must stick with them”.

READ HERE: More train strikes planned over Reading Festival weekend

Bill added: “If we stick with the unions and strikers, it might pay off in the long run. With the cost of living crisis, everyone needs a bit more support and if railway workers need to strike to get that, I’ll support them.”

The railway unions say they have not been given a pay offer it can recommend to their members.

Aslef says train drivers have not had a pay rise for four years.