A TWO-DAY strike by workers on South Western Railway (SWR) is due to go ahead on Wednesday, November 8, and Thursday, November 9, after talks to resolve a dispute over the role of guards broke down last Thursday.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union will walk out for 48 hours, causing disruption to services.

SWR has drawn up a strike timetable and pledged to run more than 60 per cent of its normal train services. There will also be rail replacement bus services on some routes to help passengers.

SWR managing director Andy Mellors said: “We plan to run around two thirds of our regular timetabled services which will deliver around 70 per cent of the seats we normally provide across the morning and evening peak hours in to London.

“However, we are sorry that many of our passengers will find trains much busier than normal and that, in some places, replacement bus services will run instead of trains on the strike date called by the RMT.

“This strike is unnecessary. We have repeatedly assured the RMT that we plan to keep two safety-trained employees on our trains. This is because we know that a second member of staff provides assurance to our passengers and ensures we have capable colleagues on board to deliver assistance or offer advice during journeys.

“No one will lose their job. We have been very clear that we are guaranteeing the jobs, salaries and terms and conditions of Guards. In fact, as we expand our fleet, we will be hiring more drivers and guards to help deliver more and better services for passengers.”

• To check strike Portsmouth to Waterloo train times on Wednesday and Thursday go to https://www.southwesternrailway.com/plan-my-journey/rmt-strike.