Job cuts 'target West Coast line'

Network Rail says it has a commitment to reduce running costs

The West Coast Main Line will bear the brunt of maintenance job cuts planned by Network Rail, according to the Rail Maritime and Transport union (RMT).

The union said it had received information that 679 of the 1,448 posts to be axed were on that line.

It promised to draw on political and public support to fight the plans.

A Network Rail spokesman said that the way maintenance was carried out had to "evolve", but discussions were ongoing and no final decision had been made.

Network Rail was established in 2002, to replace Railtrack.

In 2008 it was ordered by the Office of Rail Regulation to pay a £14m fine for overrunning engineering work on one stretch of the West Coast Main Line, which runs between London and Southern Scotland via the West Midlands and the North West.

Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary, said that bearing in mind the "history of infrastructure problems" the cuts "defied logic".

'Beggars belief'

He added: "We should also remember that the Grayrigg disaster occurred on the [West Coast Main Line] and that reports into that incident fingered systemic problems with the maintenance regime.

"Under those circumstances alone it beggars belief that Network Rail could be even considering hundreds of maintenance job cuts.

"RMT is committed to fighting the national jobs cull across Network Rail and we will be drawing in political and public support across the country for what is an important battle for safety and reliability on the rail network."

A Network Rail spokesman said: "We have a clear commitment to the British people to reduce the cost of running the railway, and as we become more efficient with an improving network, the way we do maintenance has to evolve.

"Our plans to restructure maintenance depots will enable us to direct resources to where they are needed and enable them to be more responsive."

He added: "We are continuing with our discussions on our plans with our people and their union representatives, and no final decisions have been made."