Train Services on West London Line to Be Hit Again in May


Southern warn passengers of strike planned for May 10 - 13

Southern Railway has thanked passengers for their patience during the RMT Union's first 48 hour strike from Tuesday till Thursday, April 26 to 28 and warned that more industrial action is on its way during May.

On its customer advice page, which also advises passengers on compensation and refunds, Southern says: " We have been advised by the RMT Union that its conductor members will also strike on Tuesday 10 May, Wednesday 11 May, Thursday 12 May and Friday 13 May.

" If these strikes take place, they will have a significant effect on Southern services on the whole of the days affected, with no service on many routes and only a limited service between approximately 7.30am and 6pm on others on some dates."

Services affected by this industrial action include Southern's trains running between Clapham Junction and Milton Keynes, taking in Imperial Wharf, West Brompton, Olympia and Shepherd's Bush, alongside the London Overground service.

The service normally runs three or four trains during rush hours and one per hour at other times and continues from Shepherd's Bush to Wembley Central, Harrow and Wealdstone then on to Watford Junction and Milton Keynes Central.

As with this week's strike, the Overground service will continue to run normally during future action, but these trains may be busier than usual.

You can see a map of Southern's affected services here.

RMT says the three core issues at the heart of the strike action are the removal of conductors from trains which puts safety under threat and accuses Southern of putting profit before safety.

Mick Cash, RMT General Secretary, says: " Let us be crystal clear – this dispute is about safety and the safety-critical role of the guards on Southern trains. The company, with an eye on ever-fatter profits, is prepared to axe the guards on some of the most overcrowded and potentially-dangerous services in Britain so that they can squeeze every last penny out of their passengers regardless of the consequences.

"That is a lethal gamble with safety in the name of profit and that is why we have been forced to take strike action."

You can read the union's full statement on its website.

Further action is planned from May 10 till May 13.