Planned train strikes will hit South London rail users later this week
Passengers have been advised to plan ahead as train strikes[1] are set to hit South London rail users this week.
Passengers who use the Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), which includes Southern, Thameslink, Great Northern, and Gatwick Express rail services, have been advised to double-check their journeys ahead of planned industrial action.
Britain’s trade union for train drivers, ASLEF, has organised its members to strike on Wednesday and Saturday in ongoing disputes regarding pay.
There will be no train services running on any of the GTR services on both days.
The industrial action is also expected to have a knock-on effect on the Thursday and Sunday after the strikes. Passengers can expect late starts and queueing at some stations and have been advised by the network to allow extra time for their journeys.
On Friday, due to strike action by the RMT union, services will be limited across the GTR network, with a later start and early close.
No services will run between Tooting and Sutton, Elephant and Castle and Streatham, or Clapham and Hemel Hempstead.
People planning to travel to the Derby Festival at Epsom Downs Racecourse on both Friday for Ladies Day, and Saturday for Derby Day, are advised that there will be no train services in the area and they will need to make new travel plans.
Jenny Saunders, customer services director at GTR said: “We’re sorry that this period of industrial action is again likely to disrupt travel and people’s plans, especially during half term week and for events such as the Derby Festival.
“We urge passengers to check before they travel for the latest information.”
The Gatwick Express will not be running at all between Wednesday and Saturday but passengers will still be able to get to the airport by Southern and Thameslink on the days these services are operating.
A spokesman from ASLEF said: “We have been negotiating with employers – the train operating companies – for many months on pay.
“On several companies, we have managed to come to an agreement, and on several others, multi-year deals have been honoured.
“Unfortunately a number of companies still have their hands tied by the Department for Transport and aren’t able to negotiate a reasonable deal with ASLEF members.
“We are still prepared to negotiate in good faith but, unfortunately, as we have been unable to come to an agreement, we have had to consider industrial action.
“Drivers have voted for strike action decisively, right across the country.”
The Department for Transport has been approached for comment.
To check your journey in advance visit, www.nationalrail.co.uk.[2]
(Picture: GRT)
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