RAILWAY strikes are causing "some impacts" at Southampton docks today.

Associated British Ports (ABP), which managers the docks, has said it is experiencing impacts on rail container services in the city.

Around 2,100 South Western Railway staff have walked out alongside thousands of members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union at Network Rail.

The strikes, organised by RMT, will run today, Thursday and Saturday.

READ MORE: Southampton MP says rail strike will further damage the fragile economy

A spokesperson from ABP said: "We are experiencing some impacts on rail container services but our teams have been working closely with our customers and partners to help mitigate any risks posed.

"We will keep a close eye on developments.”

Yesterday, Conservative chairman of the Transport Select Committee, Huw Merriman told the Commons: “I was down at the Port of Southampton with the committee last week, 30 per cent of everything that comes in off those ships goes to the rest of the country by rail freight.

“This will impact everyone, not just passengers on rail. What are we doing to preserve our rail freight routes?”

Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps said the Government was “working as closely as possible with colleagues at Network Rail” to design a post-strike timetable to make sure “as much of that freight can travel as possible”.

The strikes follow a disagreement over wages, jobs, and conditions.

Motorists have been urged to plan ahead as a surge in traffic is expected.

University Hospital Southampton has said the strikes are set to affect transport services around the hospital.

Patients have been urged to plan their journey "carefully" before any planned appointments.

Today, SWR is running a severely reduced timetable between 7.15am and 6.30pm.

It consists of two fast trains per hour in each direction between London Waterloo and Southampton.

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