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South Western Railway strike: Train map, routes, replacement transport and all you need to know for your London commute

Commuters and families travelling over the busy half-term period are preparing themselves for mayhem as South Western Railway staff commence their latest set of strikes.

A five day consecutive walkout is scheduled from Tuesday October 23 to Saturday October 27 in what is set to be the longest strike in the two-year dispute.

Further strikes are then due to take place on October 27, November 3, November 10, November 17 and November 24.

Trains staff are striking over plans to remove guards from trains in an ongoing row with South Western Railway.

RMT strike service for Tuesday 23 to Friday 26 October. (South Western Railway )
RMT strike service for Tuesday 23 to Friday 26 October. (South Western Railway )

Unions fear that the controversial move will make trains more dangerous and put passenger safety at risk.

Mick Cash, RMT's General Secretary said: "With shocking new figures from the British Transport Police showing a surge in violence on our railways, it is frankly appalling that South Western Railway are looking for a green light to throw the guard off their trains as and when they see fit in the name of profit."

SWR operates services from London Waterloo to Surrey, Hampshire, Devon, Dorset, Berkshire, Wiltshire and Somerset.

Here's everything you need to know about the strikes, plus travel information if your journey has been affected:

Will my journey be affected?

Around two thirds of normal weekday services are expected to run on South Western Railway this week.

On Wednesday, the following routes will be affected and are expected to be disrupted for the remainder of the week:

  • Alton, Basingstoke and Woking to London Waterloo

  • Brockenhurst to Lymington Pier

  • Exeter St Davids, Bristol Temple Meads and Salisbury to London Waterloo

  • Guildford to Ascot

  • Portsmouth Harbour to London Waterloo via Guildford

  • Portsmouth to Southampton and Eastleigh

  • South West London (Mainline Suburban)

  • South West London (Richmond, Brentford, Windsor and Reading)

  • Weymouth, Bournemouth and Southampton to London Waterloo

  • Salisbury to Romsey via Southampton Central

Whilst replacement bus services will be in place where possible, South Western Railway said some routes would have no trains or replacement buses.

Check the South Western Railway website for more information on replacement bus services.

Can I use my ticket for other rail operators?

On strike days, your ticket will be valid on TfL bus routes between the rail stations specified:

  • Route 65: Richmond - Kew Bridge - Brentford

  • Route 190: Richmond - North Sheen - Chiswick

  • Route 281: Hounslow - Twickenham - Fulwell - Teddington - Hampton Wick - Kingston - Surbiton

  • Route 237: Hounslow (Town Centre) - Isleworth - Brentford (County Court) - Kew Bridge

  • Route E8: Hounslow - Isleworth - Brentford

  • Route 111: Hampton - Hampton Court - Kingston

  • Route 411: Hampton Court - Kingston

  • Route 117: Feltham - Hounslow (Town Centre) - Isleworth

  • Route 235: Feltham - Isleworth - Syon Lane - Brentford

  • Route 216: Sunbury - Hampton - Hampton Court - Kingston

  • Route 290: Staines - Sunbury - Fulwell - Twickenham

  • Route K2: Berrylands - Surbiton

You can also use your ticket on Great Western Railway, CrossCountry, Southern and Hallmark Coaches. Check their websites for more details on routes.

Can I claim compensation for my ticket if my journey is disrupted?

Yes - if you travel on a strike day and experience delays of 15 minutes or more, you're entitled to compensation.

If you are holding an off-peak, super off-peak, advance or anytime ticket and your train is cancelled or delayed, SWR says that passengers will be eligible for a full refund.