Rail strike bites as drivers refuse to cross picket lines

RAIL strike action across the north of England was worse than expected yesterday as train drivers refused to cross picket lines, causing one of the biggest days of disruption since the industry was privatised.

As many as 2,000 members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union are believed to have walked out amid ongoing disputes over staffing and driver-only trains.

The pre-emptive action is part of a broader union movement instigated on the Southern network after the company introduced plans to allow drivers to operate doors as passengers get on and off, removing a need for a guard on board. MPs and operators branded the action “premature” and “frustrating”.

Paul Plummer, the chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group, which represents train operators, added that the strikes were unnecessary as new onboard supervisors “will have safetycritical training”.

Service providers Southern Railway, Merseyrail and Arriva Trains North were the worst affected, as the union mounted picket lines outside stations to garner public support.

Merseyrail had hoped to run almost half of its services, but a number of drivers refused to cross picket lines.

Andy Heath, of Merseyrail, said: “It is unfortunate many drivers took the decision not to work. It is bad news for the travelling public and the local economy.”

The RMT strike on Southern is the 30th since a row over conductors first erupted almost a year ago. The union is yet to announce if future industrial action is being considered.