Southern rail strike: Conductors to stage three walk-outs on major London commuter route

Train conductors on Southern services will stage three 24-hour strikes in a row over driver-only trains and public safety, the RMT has announced.

The union said the company's plans to give conductors new "onboard supervisor" roles, handing control of doors to drivers, amounted to an attack on their pay and conditions, alongside posing a safety risk.

Operator Southern, which is managed by Govia Thameslink, runs busy commuter services into and out of London, covering a swathe of southern England.

Conductors are now set to walk out at 11am on April 26, May 10 and May 12 after an overwhelming majority backed industrial action on an 80 per cent turnout.

General Secretary Mick Cash said: "These trains are desperately over-crowded and the conductors are the eyes and ears preventing a major tragedy on the platforms and carriages."

A spokesman for Southern said: "The changes we are making to the conductor role mean there will be no job losses and no reduction in salary for any staff, whilst passengers will benefit from having more visible staff on trains.

"We are preparing contingency plans in case a strike does go ahead, but in the meantime we urge the RMT to return to the negotiating table."