Train drivers will be taking strike action later this month resulting in major disruption across  Dorset.

South Western Railway (SWR) is operating a severely reduced service on Tuesday, January 30, due to industrial action by ALSEF.

That means the service from Weymouth to London will not be in operation.

The strike will also affect trains travelling through Sherborne and Gillingham which will not be running along between Exeter and Salisbury.

Other services across the SWR network will also be operating at a reduced capacity.

 Journey planners for Tuesday 30 January are up to date and if customers must travel, they should check their entire journey carefully, as other operators will be affected.

On Monday January, 29 and from Wednesday, January 31, through to Tuesday, February 6, action short of a strike will mean a ban on overtime working.

Services across the SWR network will be subject to short-notice alterations and cancellations are also possible. 

Journey planners are now up to date through to Thursday 1 February, with updates for other days to follow.

Stuart Meek, South Western Railway’s chief operating officer, said: “We’re very sorry to announce that industrial action, including full strike action, will affect our network at the end of January and into early February.

“It has been a tough start to the year due to adverse weather conditions and these damaging strikes will cause yet more disruption for our customers.

“Our advice is to only travel if absolutely necessary on Tuesday 30 January and to check before travelling on all other affected dates. It is also vital that customers check their entire journey on all the affected dates, as other operators will be affected.

“Once again we’re very sorry for the disruption this will cause and we thank our customers for their continued patience.”

Trains running between Bristol and Weymouth on the Great Western Railway (GWR) network will also be impacted by the strike.

From January 29 until February 3, GWR say that 'a normal level of service will operate throughout the day, but there will be some short-notice alterations and cancellations' due to action of of a strike. 

On Sunday, February 4, however, there will be 'significant disruption to services' as a limited service between Bristol and Weymouth will be in operation.

A spokesperson for GWR said: "There will be significant disruption to services and customers are recommended to also travel the day before or the following day. Where trains can run, they will be extremely busy.

"Trains will also start later and finish earlier, and customers are advised to check the time of last trains. Bus replacement services are not able to be operated."

An extremely limited service will also operate on certain routes on Monday, February 5 - which is GWR's designated strike day - with the full plan still to be confirmed.

There will be a reduced operating window with services starting at 7am and must be completed by around 7pm.

Passengers are again advised to plan ahead and check both inward and outward journeys before travelling

 For more information on SWR trains visit southwesternrailway.com/strike

For more information on GWR trains visit www.gwr.com/strike