RAIL passengers are reminded there will be no train service between Weymouth and Poole tomorrow and Thursday due to a strike.

The RMT union is taking the action because of an ongoing row about the role of guards on trains.

It affects Weymouth-Waterloo operator South Western Railway, which says contingency plans are in place to run as many services as possible.

However on some routes – including between Weymouth and Poole – there will no be service at all, and a replacement bus service will operate instead. Trains will be waiting at Poole to take passengers on towards Bournemouth and London.

Andy Mellors, SWR Managing Director, said: “We are sorry that many of our passengers will find trains much busier than normal and that, in some places, replacement bus services will run instead of trains on the strike date called by the RMT.

“This strike is unnecessary. We have repeatedly assured the RMT that we plan to keep two safety-trained employees on our trains. This is because we know that a second member of staff provides assurance and ensures we have capable colleagues on board to deliver assistance or offer advice during journeys.”

SWR is the fifth rail operator to be embroiled in a dispute over the role of guards and driver-only trains.

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said: “It is frankly ludicrous that we have been able to negotiate long-term arrangements in Scotland and Wales that protect the guards and passenger safety but we are being denied the same opportunities with rail companies in England.”

The strike will also affect the Waterloo-Exeter line which goes through north Dorset. A bus service will be in operation between Yeovil Junction and Exeter St Davids.

For more information see southwesternrailway.com