PASSENGERS are expected to face disruption on South Western Railway train services as workers have planned to walk out for five days later this month.

The strike has been called by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT). The union wants South Western Railway to guarantee the role of guards on the trains.

A spokesman from South Western Railway, said: "With further ACAS talks already in the diary for 17 June, for the RMT Union to call a week of strikes starting the following day shows there is not a genuine commitment to finding a solution.

“The union has always said it wanted us to keep the guard on every train which is what we have offered as part of a framework agreement.

"Now we want to move the conversation on to how we operate our new trains and take advantage of the new technology on board to benefit our customers.

"We remain committed to finding a solution that will help us build a better railway for our customers and colleagues alike.

"If these strikes go ahead, they will cause needless disruption. We are calling for the RMT to call off this unnecessary industrial action so that planned ACAS talks can go ahead."

RMT has instructed guard and driver members who work on the rail operator to strike from June 18 to June 22.

For updates and timetables on services keep checking the South Western Railway website.