Rail strikes are on this week causing misery across the South
Hundreds of thousands of rail passengers face misery this week with a two day strike by hundreds of guards at Southern trains tomorrow and Wednesday.
Attempts to avert the action have so far failed with both sides as far apart as ever. Four more days of action are planned from May 10th to 13th.
The action by the RMT union will close major sections of lines in Surrey, Kent and Sussex. Others will have a much reduced service. Those hit will include the crucial Brighton line, one of the most important in the country. Others without trains or reduced service include the Uckfield and East Grinstead lines. Key routes along the Sussex Coast will be badly hit along with the Tonbridge to Redhill line. Passengers are advised to check before they travel.
The dispute centres on changes to the role of the guard. Southern want drives to open train doors and the guards to become On-Board Supervisors. They say it will allow them to spend more time looking after passengers and giving them information.
But the union say that would be less safe for passengers and they fear it will lead to job cuts and worse employment conditions.
For full details of strike action , click here