Meridian Strike

The true horror of trying to travel by rail in Sussex, has been captured on video.

This footage was taken during the rush-hour this morning.

Many passengers were forced to stand, cramped into carriages, as many trains were cancelled due to strike action by ASLEF drivers.

Angie Doll, Passenger Service Manager for Southern, has told ITV News that striking is not the solution to the train dispute, as thousands of passengers suffered a day of misery on routes across the region.

ASLEF train drivers are supporting their RMT colleagues in a dispute over the role of guards.

Commuters who use Southern Rail will be petitioning the Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling to demand his intervention to bring the strike to an end.

The Association of British Commuters is also asking for a fully independent public inquiry into the 'collapse of Southern Rail'.

The group said it will march to the Department of Transport on Thursday with an open letter to Mr Grayling.

Victoria station appears abandoned as railway strikes get underway. Yesterday Southern Rail failed to get an injunction which would prevent train drivers from walking out.

Southern Rail advised commuters to find other means of transport despite the result of the injunction.

A lack of service has caused frustration amongst workers.

The Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said the strike was "futile", adding that he would have a "careful look" at how to deal with the situation when the dispute ends.

He told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme that he was not ruling any options in or out.

Mr Grayling said he was not happy with the performance of the railways in general but he could not deal with the problems until the Southern strikes ended.

He said he had asked Southern's owner, Govia Thameslink Railway, to attend fresh talks at the conciliation service Acas but Aslef had refused - a claim the union has denied.

A single mother who fears she will lose her job because of delays commuting to work during the Southern rail strike has written an emotional message to her local MP.

Jenny Lehane said she was writing the email with "tears streaming down my face", as she pleaded with the government to "do anything" to stop the industrial action.

In the message, also posted on the ITV News Facebook page, Ms Lehane said she had been forced to get her six-year-old son out of bed at 5.30am to take him to school on "another three hour journey".

She said: "Do you have any idea of the stress, worry and upset this is causing. I HAVE to go to work. I am a single parent and my 6 year old needs his mother to work to keep a roof over our heads.

"A message from me to all involved: hang your heads in shame!"

• Southern Rail strike: Everything you need to know

The RMT union said that RMT drivers on Southern Rail are standing 'shoulder to shoulder' with their ASLEF colleagues during the strike.