PASSENGER action group SWR Watch has called for a compensation package to be paid to rail users hit by an unprecedented 27-day strike in December.

Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union members at South Western Railway (SWR) will walk out after midnight on the morning of Monday, December 2, in a long-running dispute over guards on trains.

The union has accused SWR of not being interested in reaching a settlement.

Strike action will continue from December 2 to Wednesday, December 11. It will pause for the general election and resume from Friday, December 13, until a minute before midnight on Christmas Eve.

A further walkout starts just before midnight on Friday, December 27, and continues until just after midnight on Wednesday, January 1.

SWR says “more than half” of weekday trains will run during the strike, but services will finish earlier than normal at around 11pm.

A spokesperson said: “Peak services will be much busier than normal and we may have to introduce queuing at a number of our busiest stations.

“Off-peak frequencies may be reduced. Buses will replace trains on some routes, with ticket acceptance with other operators on others.

“The week of Christmas itself is likely to have a different timetable, with services finishing earlier, and as is always the case no trains run on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

“We have been talking to the RMT about the best method of operation for our new trains for at least two years. Indeed, just this week we met to try and avert these strikes from going ahead.

“We have promised that we will keep a guard on every train and that our guards will have a safety critical role. Both things the RMT has been asking for, so these strikes are unnecessary.”

SWR campaigns co-ordinator Jeremy Varns said: “As ever, the timing of this action, unprecedented in length, is designed to cause maximum disruption to both passengers and businesses.

“It appears clear that the union doesn’t feel much goodwill towards rail users, many of whom will now be worried about their travel plans over the festive season. Retailers too may see an impact to trade at this crucial time of year.

“I will be urgently requesting that a compensation package will be made available to passengers.

“As we have seen previously, fewer trains will result in an increased chance of overcrowding.

“Some routes will not be served by a train service, while many others will see a significant reduction in the frequency of trains operating.

“It is not acceptable that the company is expected to be compensated as a result of this industrial action while passengers get nothing. Full fares should only apply if there is a full service operating.

“The government must now, belatedly show leadership on this issue. The impasse has gone on too long and SWR passengers have had enough.”

* Full details: www.southwesternrail way.com/plan-my-journey/rmt-industri al-action