PASSENGERS who faced delays and disruptions during the December rail strikes will be offered compensation worth up to five days of travel.

South Western Railway (SWR) has decided to pay additional compensation in addition to its normal delay repay arrangements due to the travel chaos over the festive period.

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The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union members walked out over the role of guards on trains which caused 27 days worth of delays and cancellations for passengers travelling to and from Bracknell, Wokingham, Reading and Ascot.

SWR has announced it will be making compensation payments because of the "duration and intensity" of the industrial action.

The scheme will run in two phases, with season ticket holders contacted by the rail company for payment arrangements and the second for customers for whom it does not hold contact details.

Customers will be notified when each phase begins.

Mark Hopwood, managing director of South Western Railway, said: "Whilst SWR worked very hard to keep people moving during the strikes, I know that our passengers often still had to cope with delays, cancellations and packed trains and the compensation reflects that.

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“This compensation package will provide season ticket holders and daily ticket holders who travelled frequently during the strike with compensation to recognise the disruption they faced.”

Grant Shapps, secretary of state for transport, added: “Passengers across SWR’s extensive network had their December ruined by reckless and unnecessary strike action.

“They have understandably had enough, so we support SWR taking action to ensure people are compensated for the disruption caused to their lives.”

The RMT union has slammed the new compensation scheme saying it "recycles tax payers money."

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"Instead of indulging in this financial chicanery the company should be back round the table with the union negotiating a settlement to the guards' safety dispute."