Talks to avoid five-day Southern rail strike adjourned

Talks to avoid a five-day strike on Southern trains have been adjourned until Friday.

Govia Thameslink (GTR) and the RMT rail union will meet for a third day at the conciliation service Acas from midday.

The two sides are in a long-running dispute about GTR's plans for drivers to open and close carriage doors instead of conductors.

The walkout is due to begin next Monday, with 40% of normal services cancelled.

An Acas spokesperson said: "Acas talks have adjourned for the day and will resume tomorrow."

GTR said it could not make any further comment.

It had previously said it needed a resolution on Thursday in time to avoid implementing an emergency timetable next week.

Lines with no rail service during the strike are expected to include:

• Havant - Chichester

• Horsham - Dorking

• Redhill - Tonbridge

• Haywards Heath - Seaford

• Oxted - Uckfield

• Eastbourne - Ashford International