Travellers have been warned to expect further disruption next week following an overtime ban by a major rail union.
A ban by train drivers from the Aslef union will mean a reduced timetable will be operated from August 7-12, South Western Railway has said.
Due to the overtime ban, those travelling to the England rugby match at Twickenham, the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup event at Ascot or the Boomtown festival in Winchester have been told to expect a disrupted service, the rail operator said.
Although a small number of additional services will operate for the England vs Wales game on August 12, customers have been warned to expect long queues.
Stuart Meek, South Western Railway’s chief operating officer, said: “Customers heading to some of the events on our network should consider travelling earlier if they can as we expect services to be very busy.
“We have worked hard to provide additional services for the England v Wales rugby fixture at Twickenham on Saturday, however, customers should be mindful that a queuing system will be in place at Twickenham station for their return journeys and that we do expect long queues.
“We are sorry for the disruption that our customers continue to face and thank them for their patience.”
A normal service will run on August 6 with replacement buses between Barnes and Feltham via Hounslow due to engineering work.
The rail operator also said that a normal Sunday service will operate on August 13 although a small number of train services will be cancelled due to industrial action the day before.
Those returning from the Boomtown Festival have been told to expect a normal service on August 14.
The latest industrial action comes following another overtime ban by members of the Aslef union this week.
Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said: “We don’t want to take this action, because we don’t want people to be inconvenienced, but the train companies, and the Government which stands behind them, have forced us into this place because they refuse to sit down and talk to us and have not made a fair and sensible pay offer to train drivers who have not had one for four years – since 2019 – while prices have soared in that time by more than 12 per cent.”
Mr Whelan said an offer made in April was for a 4 per cent pay increase, with a further rise dependent on drivers giving up terms and conditions.
“We have not heard a word from the employers since then – we haven’t had a meeting, or a phone call, a text message, nor an email – for the three months, and we haven’t sat down with the Government since January 6.
“That shows how little the companies and the Government care about passengers and staff. They are happy to let this go on and on.”
