LONDON, Jan 4 (Reuters) - Train drivers on Britain'sSouthern rail commuter network have cut a planned six-day strikeon one of London's main commuter networks next week to threedays, the ASLEF union said on Wednesday.
Strikes will now take place on January 10, 11 and 13 afterASLEF reduced the walkout which was due to last from January 9to 14, the latest action in a long-running dispute over whoserole it should be to open and close train doors.
Southern train services connect Brighton and Gatwick Airportto London, and are run by GTR, a joint venture owned byLondon-listed Go-Ahead and France's Keolis.
The network has been hit by months of industrial action,with stoppages by ASLEF and the RMT, which representsconductors, causing Britain's worst rail disruption for twodecades in December.
"ASLEF's move shows pure contempt for the travelling publicand it still causes massive disruption over next week," aSouthern spokesman said. "These strikes are pointless and theyshould call the whole thing off and let common sense prevail." (Reporting by Sarah Young; editing by Michael Holden)