SOUTH Western Railway is expecting to run more than 60 per cent of its normal train services during next week’s 48-hour strike.

Called for next Wednesday and Thursday by the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, this will be the first time union members on South Western Railway have taken the decision to down tools in the escalating dispute over the role of guards and driver-only operated trains.

As a result, passengers using the Alton to London Waterloo line will see a reduced service running throughout both days.

While as the new South Western Railway franchise holder First MTR has continually stressed its intention to retain a second person on all its services, RMT is arguing that the company has “failed to give clear, cast-iron assurances” over the future of guards on South Western Railway trains.

With the strike looming, South Western Railway has announced a contingency timetable which, it says, will see two-thirds of its normal train services operating, with rail replacement bus services on some routes to cover any gaps.

South Western Railway managing director Andy Mellors said: “We are sorry that many of our passengers will find trains much busier than normal and that, in some places, replacement bus services will run instead of trains on the strike date called by the RMT.

“This strike is unnecessary. We have repeatedly assured the RMT that we plan to keep two safety-trained employees on our trains. This is because we know that a second member of staff provides assurance to our passengers and ensures we have capable colleagues on board to deliver assistance or offer advice during journeys.

“No-one will lose their job. We have been very clear that we are guaranteeing the jobs, salaries and terms and conditions of guards. In fact, as we expand our fleet, we will be hiring more drivers and guards to help deliver more and better services.”

Passengers using the Alton to London Waterloo line on strike days will see an hourly service running throughout both days, starting from Alton at 6.14am and arriving at Waterloo at 7.28am, with the last train at 11.14pm but terminating at Woking at 11.51pm. The first train out of Waterloo will be 7.23am, arriving at Alton at 8.23am, with the final train leaving Waterloo at 11.23pm, arriving in Alton at 12.40am.

The only exception will be the 6.44am from Alton which will still run, arriving Waterloo at 7.56am. While a late-night train will depart Woking at 12.40am to arrive in Alton at 1.18am.