THE platforms of Haslemere Railway Station were left empty and desolate on Tuesday as many commuters chose to heed warnings to avoid rail travel because of strike action. The industrial action taken by members of the train drivers' union ASLEF, left the whole of the South West Trains (SWT) network crippled, with many stations having no trains running at all. The network, which operates more than 1,600 services a day, was reduced to running one in 10 of its normal trains from many stations, including Haslemere. Other stations, such as Liphook, had no trains and only a replacement bus service to help transport thousands of passengers. With trains leaving only once every hour from the station, commuters were advised to avoid using the service and a refund system was in operation for season ticket holders. Replacement bus services were running from Petersfield to Waterloo and Havant to Haslemere on the day to ease travel on the sparsely serviced rail network. A spokesman for SWT said: "Our services have been busy as expected, but not over- crowded. I think this is because a few people chose to stay at home and have an even longer bank holiday weekend. "We're doing our best and we're still managing to maintain a service." SWT carries a total of 400,000 passengers a day and shuttles 80,000 commuters to Waterloo in the morning rush hour. The executive committee of ASLEF called on 900 of its members to walk out at midnight on Monday because of a number of issues including a debate about managers driving trains. The union blamed the strikes on what they claimed was "new arrogance" in SWT management. Keith Norman, general secretary of ASLEF, said: "I believe the company is using its passengers to try to score points over the union. "I am only sorry the public will suffer, rather than this appalling management." Further strikes are planned for Friday, September 8, and Monday, September 11. Details of services for those dates will be published separately and notices will be placed in stations for the public to view. • Further information is available from National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 or from the SWT website at http://www.southwesttrains.co.uk">www.southwesttrains.co.uk.