WORKERS on South Western Railway (SWR) are to strike for 27 days during the Christmas break in the long-running dispute over guards on trains.

The railway company serves Reading and Bracknell as well as Wokingham.

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Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union will walk out for 27 days between December 2 and New Year's Day, threatening travel chaos for commuters and Christmas shoppers.

Andy Mellors, who is the managing director of SWR hopes the strikes do not go ahead but has released a statement to apologises for the disruptions it will cause to passengers.

He said: "I would like to express my sincere apologies to everyone who relies on our services and will be disrupted by the unnecessary strikes the RMT Union has called, throughout December and on New Year’s Day.

"Christmas time especially is when many of us want to relax and be with our families, friends and loved ones.

"It seems the RMT Executive has called these strikes at a time when they know they will cause maximum misery."

The train service has explained how the new £895 million fleet of trains has questioned the role guards will play in operating them.

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SWR also believe the RMT is trying to make it look as if the train operator 'want to get rid of rail guards' when SWR claim they just want to improve services for passengers.

However, RMT general secretary Mick Cash said his members have been 'left with no choice' but to call a further 27 days of strike action on South Western Railway.

Andy added: "Last February we put forward a framework which offered the union a cast-iron guarantee of a guard on every train, if they would work with us to develop the best method for operating these new suburban trains.

"We have continued to meet with local union representatives to try and develop this so were immensely disappointed when the RMT Executive announced these 28 days of strikes.

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"We are working hard behind the scenes to plan the train service for this period and will communicate this with you as soon as we can.

"Once again, I am personally very sorry for the disruption this strike action will cause and regret that it comes at such a difficult time of year."