Today is the first day of strike action by the RMT, which will affect many people in Wimbledon, Raynes Park and Motspur Park. You can find details of the revised SW Rail timetable here.
I believe disruption to the essential services which people rely on for their daily lives causes unnecessary difficulty, especially during Christmas and New Year when many people are also visiting their families and friends.
I would urge the RMT to drop their strike action, and both parties to recommence discussions immediately.
The real focus from everyone in the rail industry should be on improving performance, something which I recently raised in the House of Commons. Local residents deserve a reliable railway service.
I think we have to start look at limiting strikes on public services, such as the railways, and I shall be raising this with the Secretary of State for Transport.