Commuters across Surrey and South London are facing five non-stop days of travel chaos, as the row between South Western Railway and the union continues.

The strike is part of an ongoing row about plans to remove guards from trains, which the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union fears would put passengers at risk.

The RMT guards’ strike is expected to bring thousands of services to a standstill, with nearly a third of all services cancelled from October 23 to 27.

One social media user tweeted: “75 per cent of trains cancelled on my route due to industrial action, and the only one that will get me to work on time is delayed.

“Why? How is this even possible when you’ve deliberated over timetables until the last second”

Martin Kimber, 24, a law student from Epsom, said the train he normally gets from Ewell West at 7.55 am to Waterloo was cancelled today.

Speaking to the Epsom Comet this morning, Mr Kimber said: “I’m still on the train, people are being left on the platform because nobody can get on, it’s awful.

“This kind of service is appalling. It is unacceptable and I’m astonished people are putting up with it

“How the transport department hasn’t been hit with a class action suit for loss of earnings is unbelievable.”

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “South Western Railway should get out of the bunker and start talking with us seriously rather than sitting back and just hoping that the issues of safety, security and access will simply go away. They won’t.

“Recent figures have shown a shocking a surge in violence on our railways it is frankly appalling that South Western Railway are looking for a green light to throw the guard off their trains as and when they see fit in the name of profit regardless of the consequences.”

A South Western Railway spokesperson said: “The RMT is cynically targeting hard-working commuters, families trying to enjoy the half-term holidays and sports fans with its latest strike dates.

“We have guaranteed a guard to be rostered on every single service, and our growth plans mean more guards, not fewer.

“If the union decides to continue with its unnecessary action, we will do everything we can to keep our customers moving and reduce disruption.”

Epsom and Ewell MP and transport secretary Chris Grayling was approached for comment.