Southeastern urges people to check before travelling ahead of latest round of strike action

Southeastern trains Photo John Horton

Commuters are being urged to check before they travel as upcoming strike action will affect rail services, including those run by Southeastern.

Strike action by the RMT union is due to take place on the Southeastern network on the following days:

Thursday 16 March

Saturday 18 March

Thursday 30 March

Saturday 1 April

This will mean a service running on the Southeastern network, with some routes closed.

First trains will leave later and last trains back from London will be much earlier

Only 52 out of 180 stations will be open and no rail replacement buses will serve stations that are closed

Scott Brightwell, Operations and Safety Director at Southeastern said: “If this strike action goes ahead, we’re sorry, but there’ll be no Southeastern train services at all on many routes and a limited service on others. We’re very sorry for any inconvenience this strike action will cause you. Please check before you travel”.

Travel advice for Thursday 16 and Saturday 18 March

There will be a limited service running on the Southeastern network and some routes will be closed. Check before you travel. If you are travelling expect some disruption, plan ahead and check your entire journey.

First trains will leave later and the last trains back from London will be much earlier than usual. The trains that do run may also be much busier, especially the first and last trains – customers are advised to avoid early and late trains if possible.

Only 52 out of 180 stations will be open. No rail replacement buses will serve stations that are closed. For alternative transport options visit Traveline.

You may be unable to board trains at stations where a limited service is running, especially at locations such as Ashford and Ebbsfleet.

A normal timetable will run on the days either side of the strikes, except on Friday 17 March when trains will start later, from 7am, following strike action the day before.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) is holding strike action in a long-running dispute with rail operators over pay, jobs and working conditions