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April rail strikes: Southeastern railway passengers in Kent urged to plan ahead as industrial action on train and tubes set to resume

By: Joe Harbert jharbert@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 12:05, 03 April 2024

Updated: 12:05, 03 April 2024

Train passengers have been warned to check before they travel ahead of a fresh wave of strike action on the rail and tube network.

Southeastern, Kent’s main rail operator, has confirmed it will only run an "extremely limited service" during the upcoming round of industrial action.

Southeastern says its passengers will be affected by the strike on Monday (April 8). Picture: Southeastern

Drivers at 16 rail companies intend to stage a fresh wave of walkouts in a long-running dispute with the government over pay.

Members of the ASLEF union plan to hold a rolling programme of one-day walkouts between April 5 and April 8.

In Kent, it means most of Southeastern's routes and stations will be closed on Monday (April 8).

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Services will only run from Dartford to London via the Bexleyheath and Sidcup lines, between Orpington and Charing Cross, plus a high-speed service between Ashford International and London St Pancras International.

All other lines will be closed, and no replacement bus services will be provided.

Southeastern’s Scott Brightwell has advised passengers against travel but says anyone who “absolutely must” should check their entire journey well in advance.

Train strikes are expected to disrupt services across the UK in April. Picture: iStock
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The company's operations and safety director added: “We are only able to run an extremely limited service during this ASLEF strike action and our advice to customers is do not travel.

“There is likely to be long queues at the small number of stations that are open, which will lead to extended journey times for those who are travelling.

"In addition, services that are running will start later in the morning and finish much earlier in the evening.

“There is also strike action taking place across other operators, and on [the] London Underground, so anyone who absolutely must travel should check their entire journey well in advance.

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“We’re sorry for any inconvenience that this strike action will cause but we will be running a full service on all other days."

The strikes will affect passengers across the county. Picture: iStock

A six-day ban on overtime, during which staff will decline to work on rest days, is also expected to add to the disruption.

ASLEF says this will take place from next Thursday (April 4) until April 6, and from April 8 until April 9.

Meanwhile, strike action on the London Underground is scheduled to take place on April 8 and May 4.

Southeastern says online journey planners are up to date with detailed travel information.

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