Impending disruption to Swindon's public transport may have been averted after bus drivers recently voted for industrial action. 

Stagecoach West employees have been involved in 'an ongoing dispute' with their employer, and on June 20, the majority of staff voted to go on strike. 

Of all Unite union members, 55 per cent of them voted, with an overwhelming majority of that group, 85 per cent, ruling in favour of a strike. 

One source, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Adver that the resulting walkout was planned for the weekend of July 19, 20, and 21. 

They said: "This will affect Royal International Air Tattoo shuttle buses."

However, the Adver understands that talks between staff and Stagecoach management took place on June 21, and a new offer has been made putting a halt to a potential strike.

It is understood that staff will now vote if the new pay offer made to them by Stagecoach is acceptable. 

Stagecoach West was approached and said it would not be commenting while pay discussions were underway. 

But, a spokesperson did strongly deny that strike action was ever planned for the weekend of RIAT 2024.

Unite was also approached for comment and said that it would not say anything while talks were ongoing. 

This follows a number of issues for local staff at Stagecoach

In April this year, a driver who experienced serious safety failings in his vehicle was 'bullied' out of his role for raising these safety concerns via the proper channels. 

He is understood to have begun pre-claim conciliation with ACAS.

And in December last year, a whistleblower, contacted the paper to warn of public transport chaos in Swindon during Christmas due to a shortage of drivers. 

They said that managers had to bring in drivers from elsewhere to fill the gaps. 

An internal memo was seen where a manager called for current drivers to take on more overtime to cover gaps in its service. 

The whistleblower said: "Managers are bringing in loan drivers that don’t know routes and are drawing hand-drawn maps. Drivers are taking wrong turns or going the completely wrong way.

"It’s embarrassing for us regular drivers dealing with the fallout."

They added: "The public should be warned about Christmas so they can plan accordingly."