Rail strikes continue today as row over conductors escalates

Conductors on its Southern Rail services, which leave from Portsmouth, called the day of action – its fourth so far – through rail union RMT over proposed change to their role.

Yesterday GTR managing director Charles Horton wrote an open letter branding the action unnecessary as ‘no-one will lose their job.’

Last week Southern’s commercial director Alex Foulds said the company would be working towards a resolution and pledged that it would run the best service it could today.

However, RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: ‘Passengers and staff alike are sick and tired of the Southern top bosses and the government trying to blame everyone other than themselves for the chaos that they have unleashed on Britain’s biggest rail franchise.’

Meanwhile, shadow transport secretary Lilian Greenwood criticised the government for its handling of the industrial action on GTR - saying it has been ‘let off the hook’.

To check a journey go to southernrailway.com/rmtstrike.