Thursday 8 Dec 2022
Passengers in the South warned to check before they travel as strikes bring major disruption to rail network over Christmas and the New Year
- Region & Route:
- Southern
Strike action by rail unions means that there will be severe disruption across the rail network, with some areas of the south seeing no trains at all, during five strikes on December 13/14, 16/17, 24 December until 27 December, January 3/4 and 6/7.
On strike days a limited service will operate on busier routes across the South, with later starts and earlier finishes, while some lines will not open at all, and there will be no replacement bus services. Trains will start later – after 0700 – on the days after strikes.
We’re expecting difficulties on Christmas Eve and 27 December, but we are still working through the extent of what it means for train services. Passengers will need to check nearer the time as to what services will be available.
In addition, an overtime ban by RMT members employed by operators between 13 December and 2 January, means that services will be subject to short-notice cancellation for the entire period.
John Halsall, Network Rail’s Southern region managing director, said: “I’m so sorry for everyone who will be affected by more strikes over Christmas and the New Year. We really wanted to avoid disruption over this busy period and want to reassure passengers that we’re doing everything we can to plan to run as many services as we can.
“There will be far fewer trains than usual, and only on mainline routes. Regrettably, the strong advice is to only travel if absolutely necessary and check for the latest updates before setting out.”
Passengers still needing to travel should check nationalrail.co.uk ahead of time and on the day so that they know exactly what to expect.
Passengers can also check with their individual train operators through these links:
The dates in the notes to editors show when we anticipate journey planners should be updated.
Notes to Editors
For details on tickets and compensation during this period please visit the relevant train operator. Pre-planned engineering work over the period will also impact some services, particularly into London Victoria station. The impact will be reflected in online journey planners such as nationalrail.co.uk, but you can also find out more information on the project page.
Nationally: During strike days the rail industry expects to be able to run about 20% of services on about 50% of the network for about 11 hours of the day.
Services on the days in between each set of strikes will also have a knock-on effect as trains will not be able to run until after 7am the following morning.
Affected routes:
Kent
- Network Rail is prioritising the Orpington to London line, the Ashford to London High Speed line, and Dartford to London via the Bexleyheath, Sidcup and Woolwich lines.
Sussex
- Network Rail is prioritising passenger services from Brighton and Gatwick into London Bridge and London Victoria, and in the London area from Epsom, Sutton, West Croydon and Crystal Palace into the city.
Wessex (South West)
- Network Rail is prioritising passenger services from Southampton, Basingstoke and Woking to London and from Windsor to Staines into Waterloo, along with key freight routes from Southampton Docks to Basingstoke, Reading and the north.
Journey planners should be updated on the following dates:
- 9 December for travelling on 13-17 December, and 3-6 January.
- 13 December for travelling on 17 December.
- 14 December for travelling on 18 December.
Passengers are advised to check on the day for any last-minute changes.
Contact information
Passengers / community members
Network Rail national helpline
03457 11 41 41
Latest travel advice
Please visit National Rail Enquiries
Journalists
Tala Ghannam
Media Relations Manager (Campaigns) - National
Network Rail
07548 108907
tala.ghannam2@networkrail.co.uk
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