RAIL travellers in Sussex are facing more misery with the threat of a wave of one-day strikes.

The result of a vote on industrial action by Connex SouthCentral and Connex South Eastern train drivers is expected on Thursday.

Rail passengers have continued to suffer cancellations and delays this week because of a dispute about overtime.

Drivers, mostly ASLEF union members, are refusing to work shifts which take them over a 35-hour week. They currently work 37 hours each week.

ASLEF members are being asked if they want to take industrial action and if they want overtime clauses removed from their contracts.

ASLEF spokesman John Richards said: "Around 1,500 drivers with Connex SouthCentral and Connex South Eastern are being balloted over a series of one-day strikes and a complete ban on contractual overtime.

"We are continuing negotiations with Connex, but there is no sign of a breakthrough."

Last week, passengers faced disruption and overcrowding as almost 400 trains in Sussex and Surrey were cancelled.

Delays

Commuters to and from Victoria Station in London and on coastal routes from Brighton were delayed, but one of the worst affected county lines was at Uckfield, where trains were reduced to a two-hourly service from an hourly one.

Connex media relations manager Dave Ewart said: "We are still running to the same temporary timetable, but have been able to put on more trains than last week as more drivers are coming back to work.

"The number of cancelled trains is probably closer to 340 now."

If drivers do vote for one-day strikes, it would be a further blow for the train company, which last week fared badly in a national survey of rail passengers.

The main complaints were about high fare prices, seating and the quality of carriages.

ASLEF said the timing of any strikes would be decided after the ballot result if there was a vote in favour of action.

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