Northern train plans to eliminate train guards against statutory opposition | News from the United Kingdom

Northern Rail's attempts to remove train guards in the north of England were mistreated after the official body responsible for transport planning in the region publicly opposed it.

Northern Transportation (TfN), which focuses on long-term infrastructure investments in the North, has asked Northern Rail to return to the bargaining table with the railways, shipping and transportation unions. The RMT called for a strike for 19 Saturdays in a row, which significantly disrupted train travel in northern England during the key Christmas period.

In a statement on Tuesday, TfN said: "Transportation to the North is not conducive to the removal of the second person from trains, especially when a significant proportion of the railway stations in northern England are considered as inaccessible to disabled pbadengers. "

Northern has refused to guarantee a guard on each train in the future and instead wants to introduce the driver-only mode (DOO). The RMT has long argued that the guards were "critical for safety" and that their removal would only benefit the German railway company, to which Northern belongs.

But Northern insists he wants to keep a second person for "many" services. According to the UK rail safety inspector, DOO is a safe way of working, and this train operating mode is regularly used on the UK and overseas network.

TfN urged the LMR to cancel the strike by stating, "Northern Transportation is concerned that the ongoing labor dispute between Northern and RMT, as well as new industrial actions planned in the run-up to Christmas, will across the north of England continue to live. "

RMT Secretary General Mick Cash said: "In light of Transport's Northern Declaration, RMT is awaiting new proposals from the North Railway Company that would maintain the same level of safety and security for the traveling public. and access moment based on the warranty of the guard on each train. RMT remains available for interviews. "

A strike action in the RMT means a very limited service for many customers on Northern roads on Saturdays until the end of the year, and very few trains run past 5pm.

Northern Chief Executive David Brown said, "This targeted action is disrupting the lives of our customers. But, as we enter a vital period for business, it is also detrimental to the economic well-being of northern England. "