TRAIN disruptions could drag on for an entire week due to upcoming strikes, it has been claimed. 

On June 21, 23 and 25, thousands of railway workers are set to walk out over a dispute over pay. 

Announced by the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) on Tuesday, the industrial action is expected to "significantly affect" rail services in Hampshire. 

More than 2,100 South Western Railway staff will take part in the strike, along with Network Rail signallers.

A new timetable is being drawn up, taking into account cancellations and reduced services. 

But now it has been claimed that delays could go on for longer than just three days and could in fact last the entire week. 

READ MORE: Rail disruption in Hampshire as RMT strikes to go ahead

Denis Fryer, of the South Hampshire Rail Users Group, told the Echo: "The proposed industrial action will be highly disruptive, particularly for regular rail users.

"Experience shows that disruption occurs not only on a strike day but also on the following day because some trains will have been berthed in the wrong place overnight.

"We are therefore looking at disruption for a week rather than on just three days.

"I suspect that further strikes will follow, given the perfect storm of rising costs of living, continuingly reduced demand for peak train services following the pandemic, and a government that has lost the trust even of 41 per cent of its own MPs." 

Preparations are currently being made to update hospitals, schools, airports and businesses across the network as to how they will be affected. 

"Significant parts" of the South Western Railway network which stretches across Hampshire will not be running on the days of the strike.

Denis added: "It is widely recognised that the railways can play an important role in reducing the threat to the earth from climate change.

"A concerted effort is needed to achieve fair pay along with attractive services and fares, but it won't be straightforward in the prevailing circumstances."  

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