RAIL customers are urged to only travel if ‘absolutely necessary’ on the RMT strike day next week, as severe disruption is expected.

South Western Railway (SWR) customers should expect severe disruption and, if they have to travel, should seek to do by other means.

Network Rail and more than 2,100 RMT members will take strike action on Wednesday, July 27, but thankfully Island Line services will not be affected and will run to timetable.

The reduced service levels will see parts of the network closed entirely, and those trains still running will be less frequent compared to normal.

Isle of Wight County Press: South Western Railway strike map.South Western Railway strike map.

South Western Railway's reduced timetable will run from 7.15am to 6.30pm on strike day and will consist of:

  • Four trains per hour in each direction between Waterloo and Windsor via Hounslow  
  • Two semi-fast trains per hour in each direction between Waterloo and Basingstoke   
  • Four trains per hour in each direction between Waterloo and Woking  
  • Two fast trains per hour in each direction between Waterloo and Southampton  

Trains will not stop at all stations on these routes, and there will be no SWR services across the rest of the network.  

Disruption is also expected on Thursday, July 28, when there will be a late-starting service, with the first trains operating much later than usual.

The RMT has announced further strikes will take place on Thursday, August 18 and Sunday, August 20, and SWR will publish service information for this period soon.

Claire Mann, SWR’s managing director, said: “We are sorry that strikes will again cause such disruption, and we are grateful to our customers for their continued cooperation, patience, and understanding as the rail industry works to end this damaging nationwide strike action.”  

To see the latest from SWR, visit its website here.