Train Passengers In Nottingham and Derbyshire Face More Disruption

2 February 2019, 09:38 | Updated: 2 February 2019, 09:40

Rail workers were said to be solidly supporting another strike on Saturday in a dispute over guards on trains, causing fresh disruption for passengers.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) on Arriva Rail North - which runs services through Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire - walked out for the 47th time since the row flared, mounting picket lines outside stations across the region.

Few services will run after 5pm and trains are expected to be busy, hitting travelers including sports fans and shoppers.

The union announced it would hold a public meeting in Chester on February 7 to discuss the dispute after lobbying a meeting of Transport for the North earlier in the day.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "RMT members are standing rock solid again today for the 47th day in support of a safe and accessible railway for all in the long-running fight to put public safety before private profit.

"The action comes in the week that Northern slumped to second bottom in the league tables on passenger satisfaction and speculation ramped up about a fire sale of the Arriva operation by their owner Deutsche Bahn.

"On Thursday we will be lobbying members of Transport for the North over the dispute at their meeting in Chester and we will be setting out the case for the guard and safe, accessible services on Northern trains at a public meeting later that afternoon.

"Now is the time for the company to face up to their responsibilities and guarantee a safety-critical guard on every train with the full suite of competencies.

"We thank the public for their support and understanding throughout this dispute over rail safety and access, and the union remains ready for genuine and serious talks."

David Brown, Northern's managing director, said: "More than 50% of all rail journeys in the UK are made on driver-controlled trains and recently the Department for Transport and Transport for the North publicly confirmed that a second person - in addition to the driver - would be retained on Northern services.

"This second person will provide customer service, including meeting customer needs on accessibility, safety, security, ticketing and information.

"Therefore, there is no reason for the RMT to continue its disruptive and economically damaging strikes but, despite this, the RMT continues with its strike action."