South Western Railway: Month long strike action disrupts services throughout December

People are facing 27 days of rail chaos throughout December as South Western Railway (SWR) workers go on strike.

The action is part of a long-running dispute over the role of guards on trains.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union will walk out between December 2 and New Year's Day, with mass disruption expected over the Christmas period.

Credit: ITV West Country

South Western Railway has confirmed a "reduced service" will run across the network Monday 2 December until Friday 20 December.

This includes no SWR service between Bristol Temple Meads and Bath Spa.

The company is warning some routes will have no train service or replacement bus service. Departures are expected to finish earlier than usual too, at around 11pm.

Peak services are expected to be "much busier" according to SWR. The provider has said it "may have to introduce queueing" at busier stations.

SWR have published the full list of service affected on their website. Credit: South Western Railway

An amended timetable is in place on Thursday 12 December.

South Western Railway tweeted there is insufficient time "to reinstate a full service" between strike days.

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said their members have been left with "no choice" but to strike.

RMT members will not book on for duty from:

00:01 on Monday December 2 until 23:59 on Wednesday December 11
00:01 on Friday December 13 until 23:59 on Tuesday December 24
from 00:01 on Friday December 27 until 23:59 on January 1

An SWR train journeys through the south of England. Credit: PA

South Western Railway has promised to keep guards on trains and says it will do everything possible to keep customers moving during the strikes.