More misery on the rails as strike action hits revellers

NEW Year’s Eve travel on some of the country’s busiest railways was disrupted yesterday by another strike in the dispute over the role of guards.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) on South Western Railway (SWR) walked out for 24 hours, causing chaos across southern England.

Delayed and cancelled services included those running to and from London Waterloo.

One frustrated commuter wrote on Twitter: “Thanks for making the days I have to work over Christmas so painful with your strikes.”

Another added: “Your strike on SWR doesn’t hurt SWR or the government, only passengers.”

The latest industrial action follows a number of walkouts by RMT members over plans to remove guards from trains.

SWR accused the union of “causing misery at a time when people just want to be with friends and family”.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “As violence and sexual assaults have again been in the spotlight over the festive period on Britain’s railways, this is no time to be taking risks in the interest of profit.”

Union members at Northern have said they will strike on every Saturday in January, over various safety issues.

Northern – which says it will retain a second person, in addition to the driver, on their trains – said services will be severely reduced after 5pm on strike days.