SOUTH Western Railway (SWR) has announced a significantly reduced serviced during strike action by the RMT union today.

Trains will only run between the hours of 0700 and 1900, with the last trains departing at around 1700. Customers are advised to only travel if absolutely necessary, with short notice cancellations possible.

A spokesman for SWR said: "Journey planners are up to date and customers travelling to events on the SWR network are advised to check before travelling and consider other travel arrangements if possible. Customers should also check their entire journey before travelling as other operators will be impacted."

On Sunday September 27, train services will start later than usual, at around 0700. Customers should check their journey before travelling.

The ASLEF union has also announced strike action on Friday, September 1, and an overtime ban on Saturday, September 2. The RMT union will also take strike action on September 2. Services for these dates will be announced in due course.

Stuart Meek, Chief Operating Officer at South Western Railway, commented:  “We’re sorry that customers will once again face disruption due to strike action by the RMT union.

“Once again, I must ask our customers to only travel if absolutely necessary on Saturday  August 26.

"If you do have to travel, please check your entire journey as these strikes also affect other train operators.

“A large number of events take place on Saturday 26 August and while some trains will be running we expect them to be very busy. If you’re travelling to one of those events, please check before you travel and consider alternative transport if possible.

“We’re still to confirm our services for the ASLEF union strike on Friday 1 September and the RMT union strike on Saturday 2 September. We will announce details for these dates as soon as we can. “We’re thankful for our customers’ patience during these latest RMT and ASLEF union strikes.”