August Bank Holiday train strikes: Update on services that will be affected

Rail workers have announced they will strike this Saturday in an ongoing row over jobs, pay and working conditions.

Industrial action, organised by the RMT union, will cause a reduced, revised timetable to run across several train operators, including Great Western Railway (GRW), South Western Rail, Southern Rail and Thameslink.

Thameslink and Southern Rail have confirmed that a limited service will run across their networks, with services starting later and finishing much earlier than usual. Some stations will not have a service all day.

The networks have advised those travelling to check first and last trains carefully, as there will be no alternative travel options provided.

As well as limited services, Thameslink will not be operating the usual non-stop Gatwick Express service between London Victoria, Gatwick Airport and Brighton.

Extra stops have been added at Clapham Junction and East Croydon for passengers travelling to Gatwick. Gatwick Express tickets are valid on Southern and Thameslink at no additional cost.

South Western Railway has announced that trains will only run between 7am and 7pm, with the last trains departing at around 5pm.

The network has advised its customers to only travel if absolutely necessary, with short notice cancellations possible.

Great Western Rail (GRW) has also warned against travelling, as it will be running an “extremely” limited service on the strike day.

Services will start at 7am and will be stopping by around 6.30pm. The network has confirmed that customers who purchased tickets but do not travel can  claim a full refund or amend their ticket and those who travel and are delayed may be entitled to Delay Repay compensation if they are delayed by 15 minutes or more.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said that the strike has been called after the union has received “no improved or revised offer” from the Rail Delivery Group.

He said: “The mood among our members remains solid and determined in our national dispute over pay, job security and working conditions.

“The reason for this is the government has not allowed them a fresh mandate on which discussions could be held.

“Our members and our union will continue fighting until we can reach a negotiated and just settlement.”

A large number of events will take place including Brentford football fixtures, the England v Fiji rugby fixture at Twickenham, The Hundred Eliminator cricket match at the Oval and horse racing at Windsor.  

Affected rail networks are advising customers travelling to events to check before travelling and consider other travel arrangements if possible. 

TfL have confirmed that there will be a good service on most Underground and Overground lines on Saturday, with a part closure on the Overground between Surrey Quays and New Cross, customers are advised to use New Cross Gate.

The disruption from Saturday’s strike day will have a knock-on effect on Sunday causing a later start to services with some routes having no services before 7am.

On Friday, the ASLEF union announced strike action for September 1 and an overtime ban on September 2. The RMT union will also take strike action on September 2.  

Stuart Meek, chief operating officer at South Western Railway, said:  “We’re sorry that customers will once again face disruption due to strike action by the RMT union. 

“Once again, I must ask our customers to only travel if absolutely necessary on Saturday.”

The Department for Transport has been approached for comment.

(Picture: Doug Peters/PA Wire)