Passengers traveling to and from Gatwick Airport are facing significant disruption as rail strikes commence. On Wednesday, May 31st, and Saturday, June 3rd, no trains will be running to or from the airport. Additionally, on Thursday, June 1st, ASLEF called for an overtime ban so train services to and from the airport may be disrupted and the RMT workers are also participating in strike action on Friday 2nd of June, resulting in a limited number of trains operating between London Gatwick, central London, and Brighton. These limited services will be available approximately between 7:00 AM and 10:00 PM, with no trains running outside of these hours. Services will also experience disruptions on the days following the strikes.
The Southern Rail network, vital for connecting Gatwick Airport with major cities across the south of England, will bear the brunt of the strikes. Passengers are strongly advised to explore alternative transportation methods or allocate extra time for their journeys.
Alternative options such as buses, coaches, and taxis will be available during the strike period. However, due to the expected high demand, congestion is likely. Travelers are strongly encouraged to pre-book their transportation in advance to avoid last-minute delays and potential disappointments.
Past strikes conducted by ASLEF, a train drivers’ union, led to severe traffic congestion. During the previous strike, traffic queues extended from the airport all the way back to the M23 junction and onto the M25 for several miles. Commuters experienced delays of over an hour between the M23 junction and the airport.
Considering the previous disruption caused by strikes, passengers should carefully plan their journeys and consider alternative routes to minimize the impact on their travel plans.
