Rail strikes postponed

Strikes by staff at South West Trains planned for next week have been delayed until later in the month to allow time for possible talks.

The RMT Union said that the strikes will instead take place on the 28 and 29 January and new strikes will also be planned for 12 and 13 February unless there was a breakthrough in the dispute over pay and disciplinary procedures.

Passengers had already faced strike action once this month when 2,000 RMT members staged a 48 hour strike on 7 and 8 January. The strikes, which will affect travellers coming into London's Waterloo station, were due to take place on Thursday and Friday of next week.