More misery for commuters as rail drivers stage yet another strike

Members of Aslef have gone on strike again and services across southern England have either been cancelled or reduced on Tuesday.

Rail driver have walked out over their long running disputes over pay and conditions and the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) have announced a separate strike by London Overground.

Over 300 union members are to walk out for 48 hours on 19 February and again on 4 March and control, station and security staff will be among those striking.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “London Overground workers do an important job delivering services for Transport for London and supporting passengers on journeys throughout London.

“Our members are furious that they have been given a below inflation pay offer and want to see an improvement that represents the value they bring to the company.

“If this dispute cannot be resolved then RMT is more than prepared for a sustained period of industrial action to get London Overground workers the pay rise they deserve.”

South Western Railway are advising their customers to only travel is “absolutely necessary” on Tuesday.

The company said in a statement, “Large parts of our network will be closed and trains will only run between 0700 and 1900. There will be no services outside of these times.”

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “It’s something the rail operators called for many months ago and the public would rightly expect them to be used if strike action is taking place.”