Because of a week of strikes and an overtime ban by ASLEF, Govia Thameslink train services are likely to be severely disrupted from Monday, 29 January until Tuesday, 6 February.

Next Tuesday, 30 January, there will be no trains on most of Southern, Gatwick Express, Thameslink, and Great Northern services except for a limited shuttle service to maintain essential travel to airports.

A very limited shuttle service will operate on Tuesday, 30 January on the following routes and only stopping at the stations listed:

• A non-stop shuttle service between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport.
• A shuttle service between Luton and St Pancras, also calling at Luton Airport Parkway.
• A non-stop shuttle service between London King’s Cross and Cambridge.

Anyone using the shuttle services should only do so if their journey is essential. I using them, they should leave plenty of time for their journey as they are likely to be very busy.

As well as strike action next Tuesday, 30 January, from Monday 29 January until Tuesday 6 February ASLEF will impose a nationwide overtime ban. An amended timetable will apply with fewer services. The amended timetable has been designed so that passengers can plan for their travel with a greater certainty that there will be fewer short-notice alterations.

During the overtime ban, Gatwick Express services will not run on weekdays, but Gatwick Airport will continue to be served by Southern and Thameslink.

On Saturday. 3 and Sunday. 4 February, services will operate, including Gatwick Express, but certain routes will be affected by planned engineering works.

Anyone intending to travel during this period should check their journeys in advance at www.nationalrail.co.uk

Jenny Saunders, GTR’s Customer Services Director, said: “We’re very sorry about the impact this industrial action will have on our customers. With no trains on the majority of our network on Tuesday 30 January, we’re asking people to plan ahead and use alternative travel options.

“Whilst there will be trains running on either side of the strike day, the nationwide overtime ban means we are only able to run an amended timetable with fewer trains. With other train operators affected on different days, we’re asking customers to check their entire journey each day from Monday 29 January until Tuesday 6 February.”