Train strikes are set to cause disruption across Dorset.

The ASLEF union strike action and overtime bans will affect South Western Railway (SWR) services during September and October.

An extremely limited service will operate on a small number of lines, which will see the majority of the network closed on Saturday, September 30 and Wednesday, October 4.

On Saturday, September 30, trains will only run between London Waterloo and Basingstoke, Woking and Guildford via Woking.

Dorset Echo: Saturday, September 30, strike mapSaturday, September 30, strike map (Image: South Western Railway)

On Wednesday, October 4, trains will only run between London Waterloo and Basingstoke, Feltham, Woking, Guildford via Woking and between Basingstoke and Salisbury.

On both dates trains will only run between the hours of 7am and 7pm and there will be no other services outside of these times.

This will impact Dorset rail passengers as no services will be running in the county.

Customers are advised to only travel if absolutely necessary and should check their entire journey before travelling, as other operators will also be affected.

A normal weekday timetable will operate with a small number of cancellations on Friday, September 29, Monday, October 2, Tuesday, October 3, Thursday, October 5 and Friday, October 6.

Commuters are advised to check before travelling on these dates and to check their entire journey as other operators will be affected.

Stuart Meek, South Western Railway’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “I’m sorry to say that, due to industrial and strike action by the ASLEF union over the next two weeks, we will be forced to make changes to our timetables.

“We will run an extremely limited service on both Saturday 30 September and Wednesday 4 October and our advice to customers is to only travel if their journeys are absolutely necessary. While we will run as many services as possible on days subject to overtime bans, our advice to customers is to check before travelling.

“On all seven dates of industrial action customers should check their entire journey before they travel as other operators will be affected. We’re very sorry for the disruption that this will cause and we’re very grateful to our customers for their continued patience.”

Great Western Railway services from Weymouth to Bristol Temple Meads will also be cancelled on Saturday, September 30, and Wednesday, October 4 with no replacement buses running.