The seemingly eternal dispute between Southern Rail and its workers continues as the rail drivers’ union announced yet another round of strike action.

Rail union RMT announced that staff on Southern and South Western Railways would walk out for 48 hours on November 8 and 9.

The dispute is about the driver-only trains rail operators want to bring in and removing guards, which RMT say is unsafe.

Commuters on Southern Rail have been the worst impacted, with more than 30 days’ worth of strikes on their lines in the last 18 months and no sign of it stopping any time soon.

South Western Railway, which only recently took over the franchise from South West Trains, will be targeted for a strike for the first time.

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said: “Every single effort that RMT has made to reach negotiated settlements in these separate disputes with the different train operating companies over safe operation and safe staffing has been kicked back in our faces and we are left with no option but to confirm a further phase of industrial action in early November.

“It is frankly ludicrous that we have been able to negotiate long-term arrangements in Scotland and Wales that protect the guards and passenger safety but we are being denied the same opportunities with rail companies in England.

“This suspension of normal industrial relations by the employers has to end if we are to make progress towards a solution that guarantees safe rail travel for all.”

The strike action also impacts Greater Anglia, Island Line, Merseyrail and Northern rail lines.

A spokesperson for Govia Thameslink Railway, parent company of Southern, said: "We are very disappointed by this unnecessary RMT strike action and the union’s continued refusal to engage with us in modernising the railway. We expect to run a normal service on most of our routes during the RMT strike days.

"Modernisation is urgently required to make lasting improvements and increase capacity on this, the busiest part of the UK railway, where passenger numbers have doubled in 12 years.

"As well as better infrastructure and new trains, we have updated working practices to make the most of new technology and improve services for passengers. The RMT needs to play its part if passengers are to benefit from service improvements."

A South Western Railway spokesperson said: “We are extremely disappointed that the RMT has announced dates for this unnecessary and disruptive strike rather than working with us to find a solution to their problem. No-one wants this, least of all our passengers and staff who will be the ones to suffer.

“We would like to assure our customers that should this strike go ahead, we have contingency plans in place and we will do everything we can to minimise disruption to their journeys.

“This action is both premature and unnecessary. We have not yet made a decision on how best to operate our new fleet of trains – trains that are not due to be in service for two years, and the way forward is to discuss how we operate them for the benefit of our passengers with our employees, and the union.

“RMT bosses aren’t acting in the best interests of its members on the ground in SWR, who have said that our recent discussions have been open and productive. We urge the union to get back around the table to further discuss the issue so we can all agree on a way forward.”

A DfT spokesperson said: “The RMT should stop this action aimed at deliberately disrupting passengers, and call off their strikes.

“Passengers will face needless delays, even though South Western Railway have been clear no-one will lose their job or any pay. The operator plans to keep a second member of staff on-board their trains. They will be hiring more drivers and guards.

“The RMT’s dispute is not about safety, as the independent regulator has ruled that driver-controlled trains are safe.”