Rail services in Dorset are set to be disrupted once again in the run-in to Christmas.

The RMT union,  which represents train crew, including drivers, guards and other on-board staff, will stage a series of walk-outs on December 13, 14, 16 and 17 as well as January 3, 4, 6 and 7.

There will also be an overtime ban across the railways from 18 December until 2 January, meaning RMT will be taking industrial action for 4 weeks.

The Rail Delivery Group, which  brings together passenger and freight rail companies, said the strikes came despite “real progress” being made in negotiations.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: "We have been reasonable, but it is impossible to find a negotiated settlement when the dead hand of government is presiding over these talks.

"In the meantime, our message to the public is we are sorry to inconvenience you, but we urge you to direct your anger and frustration at the government and railway employers during this latest phase of action.

Service levels are yet to be announced however past strikes have seen no services run between Weymouth and London Waterloo.

Precise details will be announced closer to the time.

A spokesperson for South Western Railway: “We’re sorry that due to strike action we must urge our customers to only travel by rail if absolutely necessary.  Large parts of our network will be closed on strike days and there will be a late start up on the morning after. Those who must travel are urged to carefully check the times of first and last trains and avoid them if possible. 

“We are grateful to our customers for their continued cooperation, patience, and understanding as the rail industry works to bring this damaging nationwide strike action to an end.” 

A spokesperson for the Rail Delivery Group said: “We made real progress over the last fortnight of talks and for the first time in months we can see the outline of a credible deal.

“Further strikes, especially in the run up to Christmas, will disrupt the first normal festive season our passengers have been able to look forward to since the Covid pandemic, taking even more money out of the pockets of railway staff, and will cause huge damage to the hospitality and retail sectors dependent on this time of the year for their businesses. We owe it to them to stay round the table.

“Industrial action has already cost the industry millions in lost revenue, is stalling its post-pandemic recovery, and threatening its long-term sustainability.

“We are asking the RMT to stay at the negotiating table, work with us towards a fair deal and end a dispute that is harming passengers, the industry, and their members.”