Southern strike: trains cancelled as RMT rail workers walk out

Rail passengers on the Southern Rail network are facing travel disruptions today as staff stage another 24-hour walkout in the long-running dispute over driver-only trains.

The franchise is running reduced and limited services during peak times, with lines between London and Guildford, and Brighton and Hove, understood to be affected. The Southern website reports that there will also be “a small number of cancelled services in the Bognor Regis, Littlehampton, Brighton, West Worthing and Portsmouth areas”.

The RMT union has said it is awaiting “meaningful talks” with Southern about driver-only trains - on which the driver, rather than a conductor, performs tasks such as opening the doors - citing concerns over safety and job losses.

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RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said: “Our members stand solid and united again today in the fight for passenger safety and access on Southern Rail in Britain's longest-running industrial dispute.

“The sheer grit and determination of our members on Southern to put public safety before private profit over the past two years of this dispute is a credit to the trade union movement and the communities they are standing up for.”

Southern Rail has advised customers to check their route before setting off, with tickets being accepted on some local bus routes and other train services.