Strike action by the ASLEF union is due to take place across the Southeastern network on Wednesday 6 December meaning there will be no services on any part of the network, on this day.
Neighbouring train operators, including Thameslink and Southern, are also affected by strikes and an overtime ban between Friday 1 and Saturday 9 December, and changes to journeys are likely.
Southeastern is asking customers to check their entire journey, before they set off, between these two dates.
Scott Brightwell, Operations and Safety Director for Southeastern, said:“Strikes are designed to be disruptive, and it is clear there will be disruption and inconvenience to customers across Kent and East Sussex during this time but particularly on Wednesday 6 December. We are sorry for the obvious inconvenience this will cause.
“I would urge customers who are travelling during this time to check their entire journey before setting off. You can do so on the Southeastern website or on other journey planners.”
“We are determined to win this dispute,” said Mick Whelan, ASLEF’s general secretary. “And get a significant pay rise for train drivers who have not had an increase since 2019 while the cost of living, in that time, has soared.”
There are changes to Thameslink and Southern services that also run from Southeastern stations:
On Sunday 3 December there will be no Thameslink services operating for the whole day.
On Wednesday 6 December, in addition to no Southeastern services, there will also be no Southern services, aside from a shuttle service between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport.
An amended Thameslink timetable will run, with fewer services than normal. Trains are expected to be very crowded with the potential for queuing systems at Southeastern stations.
There will be one train per hour between Rainham and Luton.
Between London Blackfriars and Sevenoaks there will be two trains per hour, dropping to one train per hour after 19:30. The service will be diverted via Orpington and will not call at Bat & Ball, Otford, Shoreham (Kent), Eynsford, Swanley and St Mary Cray.
Online journey planners have now been updated for the strike day on Wednesday 6 December.
Find strike action details at: https://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/strike-action
