SOUTH Western Railway (SWR) has confirmed that it will not operate trains to or from Portsmouth on Saturday 26 August due to RMT strike action.
A significantly reduced service will operate across the SWR network with many lines closed and trains only running between 0700 and 1900. As on previous RMT strike days, there will be no services on the lines between Woking and Portsmouth Harbour via Guildford, or between Eastleigh and Portsmouth Harbour via Fareham.
Customers looking to use SWR services to travel to events are advised to make alternative travel arrangements. This includes the Victorious Festival and the Stevenage v Portsmouth football match, as away fans will not be able to get a train service from Portsmouth towards London.
There will be no SWR services from Portsmouth Harbour, however, the station will be open for people wishing to take the Wightlink ferry to Ryde. A normal service will operate on the Island Line.
Journey planners are now up to date for Saturday 26 August and the latest information will be available at southwesternrailway.com/strike.
The ASLEF union has announced strike action on Friday 1 September and a ban on overtime working on top of the RMT union’s strike action on Saturday 2 September. Customers are once again advised to check the SWR website for the latest information.
Stuart Meek, Chief Operating Officer at South Western Railway, commented:
“We’re sorry that customers will once again face disruption due to strike action by the RMT union.
“As on previous RMT strike days, South Western Railway is unable to serve the two routes to Portsmouth, which will affect a number of events on Saturday 26 August. If you are attending these events, you will need to make alternative travel arrangements.
“Once again, we’re sorry for the disruption, and thankful for our customers’ patience during these latest RMT strikes.”
