A walkout by Southern railway engineers that would have caused "massive disruption" to train services has been cancelled.

The strike action by engineering members of the Rail, Members and Transport Union (RMT) was due to take place from 4.59pm on Sunday (July 12) to 4.59pm on Friday (July 17) - just days after the London Underground strikes caused chaos across the capital.

The RMT had rejected a new Southern Rail’s offer of a phased reduction to a 37-hour working week - providing they cancelled the threatened action.

On Friday afternoon (July 10), Southern Railways tweeted that the planned walkout was no longer going ahead.

The RMT confirmed that strike action by fleet engineers on Southern Rail due to start this weekend has been suspended after a breakthrough in last minute talks with the company.

Agreement has been reached on the pivotal issue of a reduction in the working week.

In a letter to members, RMT General Secretary Mick Cash, said: “This morning the union’s negotiating team attended talks with Southern in an effort to resolve the current dispute. At these talks the following resolution was agreed between your union and management.

"During the forthcoming pay talks, Southern (with the agreement of GTR) will make an offer which will include a reduction in the working week, in a phased way, to a 37-hour week by May 2017 as part of a multi-year deal to be negotiated with GTR.

"Southern recognises that the hard work and commitment of our engineering staff has contributed towards the efficient operation of the company over the life of the franchise and any pay offer will be fully cognisant of this fact.

"On recognition of this major breakthrough, it has been agreed to suspend both the strike action and the overtime ban.

"Therefore you are instructed to work as normal.

"Additionally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank members for their steadfast support in this dispute. I will, of course, keep you advised of any further developments as and when they arise in this matter."

A spokesman for Southern said: "We recognise that the hard work and commitment of our engineering staff has contributed towards the efficient operation of the company over the life of the franchise and any pay offer will be fully cognisant of this fact.

"In recognition of this the RMT has agreed to suspend the current dispute."