South Coast Trains Face Strike Cancellations

21 May 2015, 08:28 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

South West Trains says it will cancel all services from Monday afternoon and throughout Tuesday - if the first UK rail strike for 21 years goes ahead.

A national rail strike has been called by the RMT and TSSA trade unions involving Network Rail staff - in a row over pay and jobs.  If it goes ahead, it will severely disrupt journeys during Bank Holiday Monday (25 May) and Tuesday 26 May.

The planned industrial action by Network Rail staff will affect each train company's services differently, as there are important differences between routes in terms of signalling and other factors. As a result details of the replacement timetables for each route will not all become available at the same time.

Customers using South West Trains and Island Line trains are advised that services will be severely disrupted.

Planned train service:

- Monday 25 May: Passengers are advised not to travel unless absolutely necessary as there will be a severely reduced service from early afternoon, with all trains stopped by late afternoon
- Tuesday 26 May: No services

Passengers should be aware that the above situation may change and be updated. Detailed information will be published as soon as possible. Customers are also advised to check before travel on Wednesday 27 May.

Full details of revised train services will be available at nationalrail.co.uk/industrialaction by Saturday 23 May.

Changes to travel, refunds and compensation:

- Customers who already have a valid Anytime, Off-Peak or Super Off-Peak ticket valid for travel on either the Monday, 25 or Tuesday, 26 May can use their ticket for travel on Sunday, 24 May or Wednesday, 27 May, subject to any travel restrictions that would normally apply to the ticket on those days.
- Customers holding an Advance ticket for travel on the 25 or 26 May can travel on either the 24 May or 27 May, using the same train service as originally booked on or the services immediately before or after this service.
- Customers who already have a ticket valid for travel on any of the days affected by the planned industrial action and no longer wish to travel can claim a full refund or exchange their ticket for another ticket without payment of the normal administration fee. If you want to obtain a refund or exchange your ticket please ask the retailer from whom you purchased your ticket.
- Season ticket holders will receive a void day for Tuesday 26 May.

Customers are advised to plan ahead and check before travel through the following options:

- www.nationalrail.co.uk/industrialaction
- www.southwesttrains.co.uk
- Twitter: @sw_trains or @nationalrailenq or use the hashtag #IndustrialAction

The Island Line on the Isle of Wight also says if the strike goes ahead a reduced service will run from early afternoon, with all trains stopped by late afternoon. There will be no service at all on Tuesday.