No trains when ASLEF strikes with a later start each day after

• Southern, Thameslink, Great Northern and Gatwick Express regrettably advises passengers: ‘find another way’

Passengers with Southern, Thameslink, Great Northern or Gatwick Express are regrettably advised to find another way to reach their destination on Wednesday 1 February and Friday 3 February.

Train driver members of ASLEF will be on strike as part of a national dispute and, as with much of the country, there will be no trains running on these dates.

On the mornings after each strike (Thursday 2 February and Saturday 4 February), services will start later, from around 7.15am on Thursday, and at varying different times on Saturday because the previous day's action will also affect the drivers of late night and overnight services and the work they do to prepare trains for the next day (see editors’ notes). Passengers are strongly advised to check times for their specific journey.

Online journey planners such as nationalrail.co.uk have now been updated for all the affected days.

Angie Doll, Chief Operating Officer of Govia Thameslink Railway which runs the four train companies, said: “We're really sorry for the inconvenience this strike action will cause, and ask you to plan ahead and make alternative arrangements.

“Regrettably, we’ll have no trains at all on Wednesday and Friday with a late start-up to the service each day after, from around 7.15am, when we’d encourage you to check online the train times for your specific station.

“These strikes are terrible for everyone and we hope the national negotiations come to a successful resolution soon.”

For details on refunds and compensation during this period please visit any one of the train company websites: www.southernrailway.com, www.thameslinkrailway.com, www.greatnorthernrail.com or www.gatwickexpress.com.

Ends

Editors’ notes

Unlike many other train operators, GTR operates late night and overnight services across a very large and complex network - the biggest by passenger volume in the UK. These trains won't have a driver because their shifts start late at night on the day of the strike, so many trains will be out of place. These drivers who won't be working are also normally involved in preparing trains for the next day's service, which will also delay the start up.