Thousands of rail passengers to expect disruption as guards go on strike

Hundreds of thousands of rail passengers in Surrey, Sussex, Kent and Hampshire are facing two days of misery with rail services cancelled on many lines and severely reduced on others.

ITV News Meridian understands the strike action will hit well over half of the 600,000 daily passengers who use Southern services.

Around 400 RMT guards are striking over plans to change the role of the guard. Southern say the action is "pointless" and will have "a severe impact on services."

Baldy hit are all lines with some stations on the Uckfield line and Sussex Coast having no service.

Others like the East Grinstead and Brighton line will have fewer trians. Tonbridge to Redhill will also be badly impacted. Coast services from Southampton will also be disrupted but South West Trains will operate as normal over part of the route.

The action starts at 11am for 24 hours but Southern have have decided to reduce and cut services for the entire two days saying trains and crew will be out of place if they try to run services for part of the day.

The action centres on changes to the role of the guard. The company want drivers to open train doors and spend more time helping and dealing with passengers. They insist there will be no compulsory redundancies and staff will not lose pay.

The union fear it will lead to fewer staff on trains and say with drivers opening doors safety will be at risk. The claim is denied by Southern.