Severe disruption for Sussex due to rail strike

Members of RMT Union at Network Rail will be going on strike on Wednesday, July 27.

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) will be running the same reduced service as the last strikes in June but are encouraging passengers to avoid travelling on the day and the next morning.

For Sussex, there will only be trains from London and down the Brighton mainline. There will also be a service to Hove.

There were rail strikes last month

Angie Doll, chief operating officer for Govia Thameslink Railway, said: “Regrettably, we have to ask people once again to travel only if absolutely necessary on Wednesday 27 July, because of strike action by RMT members. There will be very few train services and some routes will be closed altogether.

“Services will start much later than normal and finish as early as 4.30pm. All this may lead to very busy trains and possible delays. Passengers should plan ahead and think about travelling at another time.

“We are extremely disappointed that passengers across the country now face the anxiety of further rail disruption. Our focus remains on encouraging the RMT to work with the industry to seek a swift resolution.”

RMT members on strike last month

Trains will start later and finish earlier, with some trains to finish as early as 4.30pm. There will be no replacement buses available.

The strike is set to affect people travelling for England Women’s semi-final match on Tuesday, July 26. It will also affect the Commonwealth Games on Thursday, July 28.

Andrew Haines, Network Rail chief executive, said: “I can only apologise for the impact this pointless strike will have on passengers, especially those travelling for holidays or attending events such as the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 semi-final, Wednesday, July 27 and the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games, Thursday, July 28.

"It is frustrating to yet again ask our passengers to change their plans and only make essential journeys.”