Midlands passengers face rail misery

Midlands passengers face rail misery

Central Trains is one of the operators worst-hit by the strikes

Train guards in the West Midlands have started their first strike in a decade.

Nationally, members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) have walked out for 24 hours in a dispute over safety.

The stoppage began at midnight and is the first of three 24-hour strikes which will affect nine companies including Central Trains, Virgin Cross County and Virgin West Coast.

Just one in 10 trains is running on Virgin Cross Country and Central Trains routes.

Rail operators say passengers in the West Midlands will face severe disruption.

Ken Usher, from the RMT Union in the Midlands, said guards want a bigger safety role on board the train.

"This is not an issue we have sought," he said.

TRAIN OPERATORS HIT

Silverlink - running a 75% service

ScotRail - 50% service, sleeper services cut

Thames Trains - 90% service

Connex South Eastern - 70% service

Govia South Central - 70% service (98% in London)

Arriva Trains Merseyside - 50% service

Central Trains - 10% service

Virgin Cross Country - 10% service

Virgin West Coast - 50% service

"This is an issue which has been brought about by the intransigence of the operating companies. It's not as if we are for a penny piece more.

"This is purely about safety and safety is of paramount importance. Protecting the interests of rail users in general and the crews of all the trains is certainly the issue of the day."

Around 3,000 members of the RMT are staging walk-outs throughout the country.

Some of the nine operators affected are expecting to cut 90% of services while others will be able to run most of their trains.

Eight rail operators in the UK have already signed up to an evaluation of restoring the safety role of guards to their rulebooks.

There will also be special buses and coaches laid on to replace some of the cancelled trains.

All nine operators involved in the strike have refused to accept changes.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow criticised plans by managers and supervisors to stand in for striking guards on some routes.

'Satisfactory rules'

But Steve Bence, operatoins director of the Association of Train Operating Companies, said the RMT had failed to submit a proposal to change railway safety rules through the proper channels.

He also rejected the RMT's claims that operating companies wanted to get rid of guards on trains.

"The rules were changed in 1999 so that a driver was responsible for dealing with with signalmen in the event of an accident, and the guard was responsible for looking after passengers.

"For four years now the rules have been applied and been satisfactory."

Up to £10m of taxpayers' money will be given to the train companies in compensation for loss of business during the strikes.

Further 24 hour strikes are planned for Monday and 17 April.