Consumer rights groups are to protest over Southern rail’s “poor service” outside Government offices this afternoon.

Campaign for Better Transport and the Association of British Commuters plan to present a six-foot letter signed by long-suffering Southern rail passengers to new rail minister, Paul Maynard, as they rally outside the Department for Transport offices.

They are calling for better passenger compensation and a freeze on rail fares.

It comes as members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union began a fresh wave of industrial action on Monday after last-ditch talks to end the long-running feud over the future of conductors roles failed.

Delays and disprution are expected across the Southern rail network for the duration of the five-day strike, which began on Monday.

Lianna Etkind, public transport campaigner at Campaign for Better Transport, said: “We are forced into this action as Southern Rail passengers are fed up with suffering such a poor service.

“The ongoing problems with Southern Rail need to be urgently addressed and it is time for the Department for Transport to take urgent action to restore public confidence in the franchise.

“The DfT must ensure passengers receive greatly improved services and appropriate compensation, to enforce franchise commitments, and to agree mechanisms so performance levels do not fall to such levels again.”

Summer Dean from the Association of British Commuters said: “We are sick and tired of this constant blame passing between Southern Rail and the Government and are fed up to the back teeth of the constant delays, cancellations and poor excuses.

“We are calling on all angry Southern passengers to have their voice heard by signing our giant letter and to join us in marching in protest against this miserable situation.

“The Government must be told that it's not acceptable to continue charging passengers high fares for unreliable, late and packed trains.”

The train operator, part of the giant Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) franchise, yesterday called for fresh talks with the union, saying it would meet members “any time, any place, anywhere” to end the walkout.

Mick Cash, RMT general secretary, yesterday said the union had written to Southern calling for talks to get back underway in the ongoing dispute.

He said: “It is in no one's interests to prolong this dispute when the framework that can take us forward has been so clearly laid out.”

GTR chief executive Charles Horton said the strike was “completely unacceptable, unjustified and unnecessary” in a message to passengers.