After a month of rail strikes, January 2023 is set to start off with even more disruption.

National Rail has warned there will be further disruption after strike action by the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) hit services throughout December.

Passengers with Thameslink as well as Southern and Great Northern will have “extremely limited” service on the first week of January, with no trains at all on the Thursday (January 5).

Anyone wishing to commute are asked to travel only if “absolutely necessary” on January 3, 4, 6 and 7.

On the days with reduced services the following London routes are affected:

London Northwestern

The London Northwestern will be impacted as it will only operate on limited routes on these days, between 7am and 7pm:

  • Birmingham New Street – Wolverhampton – Crewe (1 train per hour)
  • Birmingham New Street – Wolverhampton (via local stations) (1 train per hour)
  • Birmingham New Street – Northampton – London Euston (1 train per hour
  • Birmingham - Northampton, 2 trains per hour Northampton - London Euston)
  • Birmingham New Street - Birmingham International (1 train per hour via local stations)

This will impact north London commuters travelling between London Euston, Harrow & Wealdstone to areas in Bushey and Watford.

Thameslink

On the Thameslink, trains will be running every half-hour from London St Pancras to Bedford via Luton Airport – affecting stations such as Kentish Town and West Hampstead.

Overground

Services on the London Overground will run at a reduced frequency between 7.15am and 6.30pm only and the night Overground will not operate.

However there will be no service between Barking and Barking Riverside, Romford and Upminster and services to and from New Cross.

Bakerloo line

There will be no service between Queen's Park and Harrow & Wealdstone.

 

Angie Doll, chief operating officer at Govia Thameslink Railway, said: “We’re really sorry for the disruption this ongoing RMT action will cause our customers over the entire festive period, until January 8.

“Regrettably, due to industrial action, our train services will be extremely limited in the first week of January with no trains at all on Thursday January 5. Please plan ahead and, if services are running, travel only if absolutely necessary.

“Services could also be subject to last-minute change on other days beforehand.”