Rail union set to cause disruption with fresh Northern and South Western train strikes

Trains coming in and out of London Waterloo are expected to be disrupted tomorrow, as disputes between railway operators and drivers' unions continue to rage on.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union have said they will strike on both Northern and South Western railways tomorrow in protest over a reduction in the amount of guards onboard trains.

South Western Railway (SWR) has said it will run a reduced service on most of its network on Saturday, with some routes having no service or replacement bus service at all.

Trains operating out London Waterloo towards Reading, Woking, Southampton, Weymouth and Portsmouth Harbour will all run a reduced service, with replacement bus services running from Salisbury to Exeter St. Davids, and from Guildford to local stations. No service is expected to be running between Southampton, Bristol Temple Meads and Salisbury.

Strikes are also expected to cause disruption on Arriva Rail Northern (ARN) lines, with a reduced service expected across the network.

RMT is also organising driver strikes on the Central Line for two days just before Christmas, as part of a similar dispute with London Underground.

The union said its members are striking in the interest of public safety, as it argued recent staffing changes by SWR and ARN have led to fewer guards on its services. 

"It is crystal clear that the axing of guards is a cash-driven exercise aimed at shoring up profits on these rail franchises regardless of the public consequences," said RMT general secretary Mick Cash.

"Both ARN and SWR are known to be in financial trouble but passenger safety should not be the price the public are forced to pay for the on-going rail franchise chaos."

SWR said in a statement: "We have guaranteed a guard to be rostered on every single service, and our growth plans mean more guards, not fewer. It is time for the union to stop spreading myths and causing misery to our customers and colleagues, and commit to resolving this dispute.

"If the union decides to continue with its unnecessary action, we will do everything we can to keep our customers moving and reduce disruption."