Union slams rail firm’s ‘cavalier attitude to passenger safety’

CLAIMS OF ‘POTENTIALLY LETHAL’ INCIDENTS AT TWO STATIONS

A UNION has labelled East Midlands Railway as “cavalier” amid claims of trains being dispatched against red lights, including one alleged incident in Nottinghamshire.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union said it has received reports of the “potentially lethal” incidents at Bingham and Bedford stations on August 15 and 29 respectively.

They claim the alleged accidents were only prevented by the actions of train drivers stopping the dispatch procedure and blame contingency managers, claiming they are “poorly trained bus workers”.

The claims come during RMT strike action over safety concerns with EMR’S staffing of new trains.

Disputes regarding train managers and senior conductors have been ongoing for four months, with strike action being carried out every Sunday, and the union says they are “digging in for the long term”.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “The safety implications of inexperienced, poorly trained bus workers having responsibility for hundreds of train passengers does not bear thinking about and the union is concerned it is just a matter of time before a serious incident takes place.

“These so-called contingency guards have not had the usual training, and this endangers other staff and the travelling public. RMT disputes that the contingency guards are sufficiently trained and have sufficient relevant experience and has condemned EMR for its cavalier attitude to passenger safety.”

EMR said that the safety of their operations remains their “absolute priority”.

“Incidents can happen with contingency managers, senior conductors or train managers on shift. However, they are very rare and are thoroughly investigated to robust industry standards with the appropriate actions taken,” said a spokesperson.

“Our safety-critical contingency managers are trained to the same safety standards as our permanent train managers and senior conductors for the routes that they serve.

“Indeed, the provision of contingency arrangements for the strike action the RMT has decided to take have been fully validated by professional heads of safety and independently reviewed by the Office of Rail and Road. Furthermore, all contingency managers that we intend to use are fully safety competent to robust agreed railway safety standards – standards which are regularly assessed.

“As we have said throughout this unnecessary action; we urge the RMT to stop these strikes and engage in sensible and practicable discussions so we can deliver a sustainable railway for customers.”

EMR said that investigations were ongoing into the alleged incidents.