South Western Railway responds to “disruptive” new RMT strike dates

Severe disruption is expected across the South Western Railway (SWR) network from Wednesday July 27 to Thursday July 28, following the announcement of a new RMT strike.

The national rail walk-out is set to take place on the Wednesday, but the knock-on effect of the strike means that a late starting reduced service is likely to run on the following day.

SWR is working closely with Network Rail to produce an amended timetable for the affected days. Service levels are expected to be similar to those during the last strike period in June, when a severely reduced number of trains ran on “just a handful of key routes”.

Rail customers are being urged to consider alternatives to travelling by rail on the aforementioned strike dates.

SWR’s managing director Claire Mann commented: “It is bitterly disappointing that the RMT has announced this latest strike date. We know how damaging and disruptive industrial action can be, and I’m sorry to all those who’s plans will be disrupted by this damaging strike.

“We are working hard to finalise a contingency timetable, but we expect we’ll have no choice but to close significant parts of our network on Wednesday 27 July, with severe disruption expected on the following day.

“That’s why we’re urging customers who are planning to use our services on Wednesday 27 and Thursday July 28 to begin making alternative arrangements”.