Tomorrow (27th July), and Saturday (30th July) RMT Rail Union workers and ASLEF train drivers will go on strike.
I know I have said it before, but to be clear I am totally against this strike action. It will cause hardship to people trying to reach work, with some suffering loss of pay. 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.
Given many of you will be affected by the strikes, I have set out below the situation for services locally, including services on Thursday which are also being impacted.
*Wednesday 27 July*
There will be no Thameslink service to and from Sevenoaks, nor trains on the Southeastern mainline service.
However, there will be a limited service to London Bridge via Grove Park (stopping at Dunton Green, Knockholt and all stations to London Bridge). This service will operate as follows:
First train from Orpington: 07:16, last train: 17:16
First train from Sevenoaks: 08:21, last train: 16:51
First train from London Bridge: 07:56 (to Orpington), 08:16 (to Sevenoaks), last train: 17:16 (to Sevenoaks), 18:06 (to Orpington)
There will also be trains running from Dartford.
*Thursday 28 July*
Thameslink will operate a Sunday timetable with the first trains leaving after 7am. https://www.thameslinkrailway.com/.../industrial-action
Southeastern will also start their service at 7am and they expect early services to be very busy. Timetable information for Southeastern can be found through this link: https://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/.../industrial-action
*Saturday 30 July*
There will be no Southeastern trains running locally.
However, the Thameslink line will be operating and will start (and finish) as usual at Sevenoaks β stopping at Bat & Ball, Otford, Shoreham, Eynsford and Swanley. Please be aware, this service is likely to be very crowded.