The largest train strike in more than 30 years will see no train services from Bournemouth to London Waterloo most of next week.

Due to the planned national strike South Western Railway (SWR) customers are urged only to travel by rail if absolutely necessary between June 21 and June 26.

On the three strike days - June 21st, 23rd and 25th - there will be no SWR services running to or from Bournemouth. The usual route to London Waterloo will instead run from Southampton Central.

Significant disruption is also expected on Wednesday June 22, Friday June 24 and Sunday June 26, when the network will not be operational before 07:30 and a Sunday level of service will operate throughout the day.

Dorset passengers wishing to travel to London by train will have to travel to catch a train.

SWR’s reduced timetable will run from 07:15 to 18:30 on the three strike days, and will consist of:

  • Four trains per hour in each direction between Waterloo and Windsor via Hounslow
  • Two semi-fast trains per hour in each direction between Waterloo and Basingstoke
  • Four trains per hour in each direction between Waterloo and Woking
  • Two fast trains per hour in each direction between Waterloo and Southampton

NB - Trains will not stop at all stations on these routes.

South Western Railway’s Managing Director, Claire Mann, said: “The sheer scale of this planned industrial action severely limits the number of trains we can run and routes we can serve, which is reflected in the reduced timetable we have published today.

“With this disruption set to be so considerable, I regretfully urge customers to only travel by rail if absolutely necessary between Tuesday 21 and Sunday 26 June.

“I am sorry these strikes will cause such disruption and am grateful to our customers for their patience and understanding as the rail industry works to bring this damaging nationwide action to an end.”

Network Rail route director Mark Killick said: “We’re so sorry for the disruption next week and we know how difficult this will be for our customers so soon after the pandemic. We’ve trained 250 staff so we can keep some of the busiest lines open, focussing our resources on the routes that can keep the largest numbers of customers and freight moving and serving vital locations such as hospitals. That said, we will not compromise on safety and the strike does mean that large parts of the network will be closed.

“We are continuing to work with unions to find a solution and will keep doing so. But we also have to be honest and accept that we have to change the way we work, to reflect the changes in society and travel patterns post pandemic. Again, I’d like to apologise to everyone who find their journeys disrupted next week and urge our customers to check before they travel.”

Customers are urged to check the SWR website for latest information at www.southwesternrailway.com/strike