Train strikes in Surrey: Day-by-day South Western Railway services …

Train operator South Western Railway (SWR) has released details of reduced services on strike days and days of industrial action^[1] in July. It comes as journeys on eight days in the space of two weeks could be hit by cancellations, disruption, and delays as services are cut and amended.

Passengers will be able to travel on a limited number of lines in Surrey and between set times due to a “significantly reduced service” on Thursday (July 20) and Saturday (July 22). A “reduced service” will also operate between Monday (July 17) and Wednesday (July 19), as well as on Friday (July 21) as a result of a nationwide overtime ban.

Chief operating officer at SWR,^[2] Stuart Meek, apologised to passengers for the latest disruption and urged people to check their journey before they travel. He also warned services that do run are likely to be busier than usual.

He said: “We’re sorry that customers will again face disruption due to industrial action by the Aslef union and strike action by the RMT union.” He continued: “As with the last Aslef overtime ban, instead of making numerous short-notice amendments and cancellations to our standard timetable, we will operate an amended timetable that we have a high degree of confidence we can reliably and safely deliver.

“We hope this will give our customers a greater certainty when planning their journeys. On days of strike action by the RMT union we are sorry to ask that customers should only travel if absolutely necessary.”

SWR train strike dates and industrial action

Monday, July 17, Tuesday, July 18, and Wednesday, July 19

There is a nationwide ban on overtime for members of the Aslef union which will mean a reduced service across the SWR network, as well as for other service providers including Southern and Thameslink. This overtime ban will run from Monday (July 17) to Saturday (July 22), according to National Rail.

SWR warned on these days services will usually be reduced to hourly in off-peak periods and could see a “small number” of cancellations during evening peaks. It also said some first and last trains could be cancelled.

Thursday, July 20

Nationwide strike action by members of the RMT union will mean a “significantly reduced service” will operate on a limited number of lines, according to SWR bosses. Trains will also only run between 7am and 7pm, with the last trains scheduled around 5pm.

Stuart Meek added: “We have worked hard to improve our service offering during RMT strike action and are pleased to confirm that we will operate services to and from Ascot on Thursday [July] 20.” Passengers have been advised to only travel if it is absolutely necessary on strike days.

Friday, July 21

Trains are expected to start later than usual on Friday - around 7.30am - after strike action on Thursday (July 20). A reduced timetable will also operate on Friday due to the Aslef union’s overtime ban.

Saturday, July 22

A second day of the nationwide RMT strike will see “significantly reduced” services on a number of lines. Trains will again only run between 7am and 7pm with the last trains expected to depart around 5pm.

Sunday, July 23

SWR has confirmed a “normal Sunday timetable” will operate on July 23, though warned a small number of services could be cancelled due to RMT strike action on Saturday. SWR also stated engineering works will take place on Sunday.

Saturday, July 29

Train services for Saturday (July 29) will be announced “in due course”, according to SWR. However, the operator confirmed a “significantly reduced service” is likely to be similar to that of Saturday (July 22) due to RMT industrial action.

Services are again expected to run between 7am and 7pm with the last trains at around 5pm. Customers have been urged to only travel if it is absolutely necessary.

Timetables for each day and for individual stations can be found online here.^[4]

Get more news from SurreyLive straight to your inbox for free HERE.^[5]

References

1. ^{^} reduced services on strike days and days of industrial action (www.getsurrey.co.uk)
2. ^{^} SWR, (www.getsurrey.co.uk)
3. ^{^} Hogs Back is the busy Surrey commuter road with hidden brewery, vineyard, spa and tearoom (www.getsurrey.co.uk)
4. ^{^} here. (www.southwesternrailway.com)
5. ^{^} HERE. (www.getsurrey.co.uk)