STRIKES lasting 27 days will start on South Western Railway tomorrow.

The disruption comes as members of the RMT Union walkout in a long-running dispute over the role of guards on trains.

In all, there will be 27 days of strikes throughout December, with only the first day of the month, as well as the day of the general election and Christmas and Boxing days escaping the chaos.

On two of these days, Christmas and Boxing day, there would be no service anyway because of the bank holidays.

It leaves commuters and other rail users facing a month of chaos, affecting those going to work, travelling to do their Christmas shopping as well as people travelling around the country to spend time with their families at Christmas.

South Western Railway, which run services from Basingstoke to the capital and the south coast, have prepared a special timetable to try and counter the disruption.

On their website, they say: "This strike is the last thing any of us wanted.

"We will do everything possible to get you where you need to go but ask that you leave more time for your journey and check before you travel for the latest information."

They say that more than half of their usual services will run, with priority capacity given to services during peak periods, similar to that of previous industrial action.

According to the SWR website, this the level of operation from Basingstoke, Monday to Friday between December 2 and December 20:

Bournemouth to London Waterloo

Hourly fast trains will run between London Waterloo and Bournemouth, via Basingstoke, in both directions. Some additional trains will run during peak periods. The last service from London Waterloo is at 22:35. There will be no London Waterloo to Poole stopping service.

Salisbury to London Waterloo

A reduced service will run on this route, with one train per hour between Salisbury and London Waterloo in each direction. Additional peak services will run. The last service from London Waterloo is at 22:20.

A reduced service will run from Salisbury on to Exeter, with one train every two hours in each direction starting later and finish earlier than usual. 

There will be no service between Salisbury and Bristol Temple Meads.

Basingstoke to London Waterloo (stopping service)

A reduced service will run on this route, with one train per hour running in each direction. Additional services will operate during peak periods. The last service from London Waterloo will be at 22:42.

Services will operate slightly differently at the weekend. Whilst most of the timetable is still being planned, SWR have released their proposals for Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8:

Bournemouth to London Waterloo

On Saturday, hourly fast trains will run between London Waterloo and Bournemouth. The last service from London Waterloo is at 22:35. There will be no London Waterloo - Poole stopping service.

On Sunday, hourly fast trains will run between London Waterloo and Weymouth. The last service from London Waterloo is at 21:35. The last service from London Waterloo to Bournemouth is at 22:35. There will be a reduced stopping service between Basingstoke and Poole. Train service will be one per hour.

Salisbury to London Waterloo

On Saturday, reduced service will run on this route, with one train per hour between Salisbury and London Waterloo. Additional peak services will run. The last service from London Waterloo is at 22:20. A train service will run every two hours between Salisbury and Yeovil Junction. Buses will also run every two hours between Salisbury and Exeter St Davids (Fast), Yeovil Junction and Exeter St Davids (Semi Fast) and Honiton to Exeter St Davids (Stopping).

On Sunday, a reduced service will run on this route, with one train every other hour between Salisbury and London Waterloo. The last service from London Waterloo is at 22:15. A reduced train service will run between Salisbury and Exeter, with one train every other hour between London Waterloo and Exeter St Davids.  They will start later and finish earlier. No services will call at Wimple and Feniton, change at Honiton and use a rail replacement bus to complete your journey. The last service from London Waterloo is at 21:15.

Basingstoke to London Waterloo (stopping service)

On Saturday, a reduced service will run on this route, with one train per hour running in each direction. The last service from London Waterloo will be at 22:42.

On Sunday, a reduced service will run on this route, with one train per hour running in each direction. The last service from London Waterloo will be at 23:07.