South Western warns passengers of early shutdown on Christmas Eve

Travellers are being warned that South Western Railway (SWR) trains will stop running by 3pm on Christmas Eve and part of the network will be closed completely due to strike action.

All rail passengers are being reminded to only travel if absolutely necessary on December 24, with industrial action by thousands of RMT union members at 14 train companies severely reducing services.

Network Rail is urging people to travel home for Christmas as soon as possible this year, with most services set to shut down between 12pm and 3pm on December 24.

There will be no SWR trains on Christmas Day or Boxing Day and services will start late on December 27, with Network Rail reopening the network from 12pm.

Separately, SWR on Wednesday added additional services between London Waterloo, Surbiton, Woking and Basingstoke to its severely reduced timetable. A limited number of off-peak trains will serve Earlsfield and Whitton stations.

It is likely that any other additional services will only be visible on journey planners the day before or the morning of running.

Strike action by RMT union members is “significantly limiting” the number of trains that can “safely operate” over the Christmas period, SWR said.

South Western Railway’s Managing Director, Claire Mann, said: “We are very sorry that RMT industrial action will cause so much disruption to our customers over the Christmas period. We share their frustration at what is a very busy time of year for travelling.

“The industrial action has significantly reduced the number of trains we can operate each day and we have unfortunately had to make some very difficult decisions on where and when we can operate.

“We have worked incredibly hard to strengthen some services from today and continue to advise customers to check their entire journey before travelling.”

The RMT union announced in November that 40,000 members across Network Rail and 14 train companies will take strike action on December 24, 25, 26 and 27 and on January 3, 4, 6 and 7.

There will also be an overtime ban from December 18 until January 2, which means the union will be taking industrial action for four weeks.

The RMT said operators have refused to make their “promised written proposals” in the continuing dispute over jobs, terms and conditions and pay.

On Tuesday Aslef union confirmed train drivers at 15 rail companies are to stage a fresh strike on January 5 in a long-running dispute over pay.

Passengers who use the West Coast main line from London Euston to Carlisle and rail routes in the West Midlands, North West, Merseyside and Cumbria are being advised to only travel by train if absolutely necessary between December 24 and January 8.

Dave Penney, Network Rail’s North West and Central region passenger director, said: “We’re really sorry to passengers who are facing further travel misery due to unnecessary strike action by the RMT, creating huge worry and anxiety for people who want to spend the holidays with their loved ones.

“If you must travel by rail please check before you set off on your journey by using National Rail Enquiries or checking with your train operator directly. Due to the short notice changes it is possible train times will be different than those on your ticket.”