Rail firm Connex,

facing a series of strikes by drivers, was today drawing up contingency plans in a bid to keep services running.

Connex said it will

run as many trains as possible on its key routes when drivers stage walkouts in a dispute over hours.

The company, which has two franchises running services into London, said it hopes to staff trains with non-union drivers and any workers ignoring the industrial action, which is due to start next week.

An announcement on the level of services will be made later but it is clear the strikes will cripple the service on some of the country's busiest routes.

Around 200,000 commuters travel to London every day on Connex trains.

The company said today it was still willing to meet the drivers' union, Aslef, to discuss the dispute but no meetings have been arranged.

The strikes are due to begin next Tuesday and continue on one day a week throughout February.

The union is seeking a reduction in working hours to 35 a week and denies Connex claims that talks have been progressing well.

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