RAIL customers will face cancellations and disruptions as South Western Railway staff are set to strike.

South Western Railway (SWR) is urging customers to check before they travel between Friday, May 12 and Monday, May 15, during its upcoming industrial action.

On May 12, a nationwide strike by ASLEF union members will affect the depot drivers, who bring trains in and out of service, and drivers on the Island Line.

Then on May 13, a nationwide strike by RMT union members will severely reduce the number of trains SWR can run and the hours in which they can operate.

A reduced service will operate between 0700 and 1900 only and large parts of the network will be closed.

To support spectators travelling to the historic Army v Navy rugby fixture at Twickenham there will be additional services, both before and after the match.

The following routes will be served:

  • London Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside via Hounslow – two trains per hour, reducing to one from mid-afternoon
  • London Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside via Richmond – two trains per hour
  • London Waterloo to Woking – four trains per hour
  • London Waterloo to Basingstoke – one fast and two semi-fast trains per hour
  • Basingstoke to Salisbury – one train per hour

There will be no services on any other SWR routes.

Long-planned engineering work in the Winchester area will also mean there will be no services between Basingstoke and Southampton Central, with no rail replacement bus services in operation.

Between Monday 15 and Saturday 20 May, there will be a nationwide ban on non-contractual overtime by ASLEF union members, affecting SWR’s depot drivers and Island Line drivers.

SWR expects to run close to a full timetable on the mainland, but services may be subject to short-notice delays and cancellations.

Claire Mann, SWR’s Managing Director, said: “I’m sorry to say that due to nationwide industrial action by the RMT and ASLEF unions, we will be forced to make changes to our services on three sets of dates in May.

“Our advice is to check before travelling and again, we will confirm our train service as soon as possible, with the latest information on our website.”