spark

A TRAIN strike is set to spark chaos for passengers tomorrow as railway workers walk out in a row over doors.

A number of service cancellations or changes will be in place from October 10.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) at Chiltern Railways are participating in strike action this weekend.

Workers are set to walk out on October 10 for 24 hours, with further strike action planned for October 17.

Passengers have been advised to check their journey details ahead of travelling tomorrow.

The decision comes over plans to introduce driver-only operation (DOO) on East West Rail services.

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This means the driver alone oversees both the train’s movement and door operations, rather than having a second conductor on board.

The dispute centres on the first stage of the new railway, serving six stations between Oxford and Milton Keynes.

Trains on this route will stop at Oxford, Oxford Parkway, Bicester Village, Winslow, Bletchley and Milton Keynes Central.

According to RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey, the proposals would be a “significant risk” to safety and existing train manager roles.

He added: “RMT will not accept the watering down of safety on the rail network.”

However, Chiltern Railways has rejected the claim that the new services would compromise passenger safety.

Interim managing director Tony Baxter said: “We have run most of our trains with the driver in control of the doors for decades, safely and as approved by the independent rail regulator.

“It also means over 100 new permanent jobs at Chiltern, and no changes to the roles of existing colleagues.”

The operator also stressed that every East West Rail train will have two staff members on board – a driver, and a colleague to look after and assist passengers and check tickets.

The company has said it remains committed to working with RMT to solve the dispute.

What changes will be in place over the weekend?

According to Chiltern Railways’ website, the majority of passengers will “experience a near normal train service”.

There will be no services for Stratford-upon-Avon or Leamington Spa for the entire day.

Passengers will instead need to travel via Dorridge, taking a West Midlands Railway service between Stratford-upon-Avon and Dorridge.

Customers have been assured that tickets will be valid via Dorridge at no additional cost.

A further four long distance services will only operate part of their journeys:

• 0644 Stourbridge Junction to London Marylebone – will start at Banbury
• 0819 Stourbridge Junction to London Marylebone – will start at Birmingham Moor Street
• 1802 London Marylebone to Stourbridge Junction will terminate at Birmingham Moor Street
• 1932 London Marylebone to Stourbridge Junction will terminate at Banbury

Certain trains in and out of London Marylebone will have additional stops at Wembley Arena for passengers heading to the Girlguiding Big Gig pop concert.

RAILWAY workers are set to stage two 24-hour strikes this October in a row over doors.

The staff are making a stand against plans for driver-only operation on new services.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) at Chiltern Railways will walk out on October 10 and October 17.

The union said its members voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action over plans to introduce driver-only operation (DOO) on East West Rail services.

The dispute centres on the first stage of the new railway, which will run between Oxford and Milton Keynes.

RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said the proposed operation represented a “significant risk” to safety and to existing train manager roles.

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He said: “RMT will not accept the watering down of safety on the rail network.”

But Chiltern Railways has rejected the suggestion that the new services will compromise passenger safety.

Interim managing director Tony Baxter said: “We have run most of our trains with the driver in control of the doors for decades, safely and as approved by the independent rail regulator.

“It also means over 100 new permanent jobs at Chiltern, and no changes to the roles of existing colleagues.”

He added that the operator expected to run the “vast majority” of its services on both days, with the timetables for the strike dates confirmed shortly.

The operator also stressed that every East West Rail service will have two people on board.

This will include the driver and another member of staff responsible for looking after passengers, checking tickets and helping people who need assistance.

The company said it remains committed to working with the RMT to resolve the dispute.