Southern Rail passengers are being warned to only travel if it is absolutely necessary during transport strikes next week.

Southern Rail (which serves London and Kent) along with Gatwick Express, Great Northern and Thameslink services will be affected during the strike by RMT members of Network Rail.

The amended train times for June 21-26 will be available online from June Friday 17 and June Saturday 18.

Customers are being told to “check before they travel” as many services will be restricted or non-existent.

Thameslink has warned that there will be very few trains each day from Tuesday June 21, until Sunday June 26.

Delays to services and crowding is to be expected, particularly on the last trains of the day.

There will be a limited skeleton service in place on some routes with around running around 25% of trains in operations during the main strike days, which are June 21, 23 and 25.

However, there no service at all on many of the lines.

Those who attempt to travel should check first and last trains for their specific station There will also be knock on effect causing a reduced service each day following a strike – on June 22, 24 and 26.

London Underground workers are also due to walk out for 24 hours on Tuesday 21 and TfL has said it expected "severe disruption” to tube services.

Many tube stations, especially those in central and south London, will be closed and others might only operate for limited periods.

Angie Doll, Chief Operating Officer, Govia Thameslink Railway, said: “We’re sorry to say that people should only travel by rail between 21 and 26 June if absolutely necessary due to strike action by RMT members at Network Rail and other train companies.

“Unfortunately, there will be very few train services and some routes will be closed altogether on strike days.

“Services will start much later than normal and finish early.

“All this may lead to very busy trains and possible delays. Passengers should plan ahead and think about travelling at another time.

“Strikes are terrible for passengers, especially as the country is starting to recover from the pandemic and return to rail.

“We urge the RMT to work with Network Rail and train operators to find a swift solution.”

Network Rail Route Director Mark Killick said: “We’re so sorry for the disruption next week and we know how difficult this will be for our customers so soon after the pandemic.

“We’ve trained 250 staff so we can keep some of the busiest lines open, focusing our resources on the routes that can keep the largest numbers of customers and freight moving and serving vital locations such as hospitals.

“That said, we will not compromise on safety and the strike does mean that large parts of the network will be closed.

“We are continuing to work with unions to find a solution and will keep doing so.

“But we also have to be honest and accept that we have to change the way we work, to reflect the changes in society and travel patterns post pandemic.

“Again, I’d like to apologise to everyone who find their journeys disrupted next week and urge our customers to check before they travel.”

Thameslink and Southern strike day services between London Bridge / London Victoria and South London

London Victoria and Sutton

Two trains per hour will run between London Victoria and Epsom, calling at London Victoria, Clapham Junction, Balham, Mitcham Eastfields, Mitcham Junction, Hackbridge, Carshalton, and Sutton only.

London Victoria and Epsom Downs via Selhurst

Two trains per hour will run between London Victoria and Epsom Downs, calling at London Victoria, Battersea Park, Clapham Junction, Wandsworth Common, Balham, Streatham Common, Norbury, Thornton Heath, Selhurst, West Croydon, Waddon, Wallington, Carshalton Beeches, Sutton, Belmont, Banstead and Epsom Downs only.

London Victoria and West Croydon via Crystal Palace

Two trains per hour will run between London Victoria and West Croydon, calling at London Victoria, Battersea Park, Clapham Junction, Balham, Streatham Hill, West Norwood, Gipsy Hill, Crystal Palace, Norwood Junction and West Croydon only.

London Bridge and Tattenham Corner

Two trains per hour will run between London Bridge and Tattenham Corner, calling at London Bridge, East Croydon, South Croydon, Purley Oaks, Purley, Reedham, Coulsdon Town, Woodmansterne, Chipstead, Kingswood, Tadworth and Tattenham Corner only.

Surrey Comet: Rail strike map Rail strike map

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