Misery for Southern commuters as strike begins today

THOUSANDS of commuters are braced for two days of travel chaos as a strike across Southern railways begins this morning.

About 400 conductors are set to stage a 24hour walkout, which begins at 11am today and ends at 10.59am tomorrow.

The dispute will result in trains being cancelled and delayed across the South, with Kent, Sussex and major routes serving London affected. Routes where there will be no service include Clapham Junction to Milton Keynes and Redhill in Surrey to Tonbridge in Kent. The Rail Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) has ordered the walkout as part of a long-running dispute about changes to working conditions and safety.

Southern’s parent company, Govia Thameslink Railway, wants drivers to open and close train doors instead of conductors. It says this will free up conductors to help passengers on platforms.

But the union says this is unsafe and fears the move will lead to driver- only trains. Southern’s chief executive, Charles Horton, last night apologised to commuters for the ‘totally unnecessary’ strike.

There is more misery in store for the estimated 300,000 people who travel on Southern’s routes, with a series of 24-hour strikes planned for the week beginning May 8. But there was a reprieve for commuters who use London’s Piccadilly Line as a strike due to start at midday today was called off. A second bout of action on Thursday has also been called off.

RMT said it suspended the action following progress in talks with London Underground bosses. About 400 drivers on the Piccadilly Line – which runs to Heathrow – were planning two 24-hour walkouts over concerns including driver and passenger safety.