CONTINUED strike action will result in the cancellation of all Isle of Wight train network services today (Friday).

South Western Railway (SWR), which manages Island Line, has said its service has been affected by national industrial action taken by ASLEF union members.

In a long-running dispute over pay and conditions, the drivers' union is refusing to do overtime.

Friday's action will also affect those from the Island wishing to travel onwards by rail and tourists planing to holiday on the Isle of Wight, with SWR not operating services to and from Portsmouth. 

In addition to Portsmouth, the strike will affect other major stations such as Winchester, Eastleigh, Southampton Airport Parkway, Southampton Central and Salisbury, with SWR saying they will not serve them either. 

Previous ASLEF strike dates were limited to depot drivers, who bring trains in and out of service. 

But with far fewer main line drivers available, SWR say they will operate a much different timetable to previous strike days. 

An RMT union strike then takes place tomorrow (Saturday). 

Although more of the network will open than on Friday, there will remain a significantly reduced SWR service, with Portsmouth not served.

However, Island Line will run a normal service.  

Customers are advised to only travel on the mainland on both affected days if absolutely necessary.  

SWR have established journey planners for today and tomorrow, with customers advised to check their entire journey before travelling, as other train operators will also be affected. 

SWR said it is the first time the network had been subject to full strike action by ASLEF members and, as a result, are only able to offer an extremely limited service today.

"The few services we will be running are likely to be extremely busy and we may have to use queuing systems and crowd control measures," say SWR.

“If customers must travel on either day, they should check their entire journey before travelling, with other operators also impacted by strike action. 

"We're really sorry for the disruption."

Train services on the Isle of Wight have been plagued with disruption in recent months, with 18 days in June hit by cancellations and delays due to staff cover issues.