As many of you are aware, major strike action is planned on the railway network this week. Let me be clear. I am totally against this strike, which will disrupt children attending school and exams, cause hardship to people trying to reach work, with some suffering loss of pay – and is likely to disproportionally affect those that can least afford it. The Government spent a vast amount of money during the pandemic to maintain the network and jobs of railway workers, and at a time when we should be encouraging people back onto the railways this will simply put people off.
Due to this unnecessary strike, on Tuesday 21st, Thursday 23rd and Saturday 25th June there will be no trains from Sevenoaks/Bat & Ball/Otford/Shoreham/Eynsford/Swanley/Knockholt/Dunton Green/Kemsing.
Southeastern will be running a limited service from outside the district in Orpington through to London, but have warned these trains may be subject to late cancellation and delay. [https://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/travel-information/live-travel-in…
There will also be major disruption on the days that follow the strike, with Thameslink running a Sunday service, and Southeastern running a reduced service on Wednesday 22 June, Friday 24 June and Sunday 26 June. Please note neither of these services will start until 7am[https://www.thameslinkrailway.com/industrialaction]
Due to the scale of the action, buses and taxis will not be laid on. However in case helpful:
- The arrangements for buses operated by Go Coach can be found:https://www.go-coach.co.uk/
- If you present a valid train ticket to the driver you can travel for £2.50 (please pay cash to the driver). Otherwise the cash fare is £5 single, £6 return. Valid on routes S10,S12,S13,S31 & S32
- The bus times for Arriva buses can be found here: https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/find-a-service