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First three-day Southern Rail Strike begins First three-day Southern Rail Strike begins
(about 7 hours later)
The first of a series of planned strikes on Southern trains are going ahead despite the RMT union advising its members to sign the rail company's new contracts.The first of a series of planned strikes on Southern trains are going ahead despite the RMT union advising its members to sign the rail company's new contracts.
The RMT has held a series of walk-outs since April in the dispute over the role of guards on Southern services.The RMT has held a series of walk-outs since April in the dispute over the role of guards on Southern services.
On Monday, the union the company had made a last-minute legal bid to stop the strikes.On Monday, the union the company had made a last-minute legal bid to stop the strikes.
Southern said it would run about 61% of its normal timetable.Southern said it would run about 61% of its normal timetable.
But, it warned, many routes would have fewer trains, while some routes would have no service at all.But, it warned, many routes would have fewer trains, while some routes would have no service at all.
Southern strike: Live updates
Members of the RMT will mount picket lines at the start of the strike, with disruption set to continue until Friday morning.Members of the RMT will mount picket lines at the start of the strike, with disruption set to continue until Friday morning.
Another 11 days of strikes are planned before Christmas.Another 11 days of strikes are planned before Christmas.
Strike dates announced by the RMT:Strike dates announced by the RMT:
The RMT revealed it had received a legal challenge just hours before the start of the walkout but said the strike would go ahead while it examined the details of the paperwork.The RMT revealed it had received a legal challenge just hours before the start of the walkout but said the strike would go ahead while it examined the details of the paperwork.
Mayor of Seaford Lindsay Freeman, said the south coast town's summer tourist trade had dropped and some commuters had given up jobs in London because of the strikes.Mayor of Seaford Lindsay Freeman, said the south coast town's summer tourist trade had dropped and some commuters had given up jobs in London because of the strikes.
Ms Freeman said she was very concerned about the impact of a strike planned for 5 November, when up to 40,000 people travel to bonfire celebrations in the East Sussex town of Lewes.Ms Freeman said she was very concerned about the impact of a strike planned for 5 November, when up to 40,000 people travel to bonfire celebrations in the East Sussex town of Lewes.
Southern, which runs trains linking parts of Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire with London, is introducing driver-only operation and wants conductors to accept new on-board supervisor positions.Southern, which runs trains linking parts of Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire with London, is introducing driver-only operation and wants conductors to accept new on-board supervisor positions.
A spokesman said: "On Friday they told their conductor members to accept a deal, and then they plan to strike against it.A spokesman said: "On Friday they told their conductor members to accept a deal, and then they plan to strike against it.
"It is a situation which will leave our passengers baffled."It is a situation which will leave our passengers baffled.
"We will consider all possible options to stop the strike and that includes a legal challenge.""We will consider all possible options to stop the strike and that includes a legal challenge."
The company said it was currently finalising the service it would offer on 5 November.The company said it was currently finalising the service it would offer on 5 November.