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Rail Strikes to Hit England

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5 October 2017

By Alex Khalil

Strikes across England are to hit train services for the second time this week. Union members at Southern, Merseyrail, Arriva Rail North and Greater Anglia have begun a 24-hour walkout.

This action is over plans to make train doors driver-only operable.

Rail companies have said this would mean a rail guard is no longer needed, however, some believe safety procedures could then be compromised. A train guard ensures doors are closed before departing, as well as other safety responsibilities. A rail guard is responsible for things like; checking carriages are clean before the start of a journey, answering questions about routes, arrival times and connections, checking tickets and writing reports, detailing delays and any other emergencies.

The removal of the rail guard would be a detriment to passengers and the rail service.

https://twitter.com/daily_sketcher/status/915523696797917185

The Northern Rail has planned to run around 1,200 services across the north, which would amount to 46% of the normal timetable, on both days of the strike between 07:00 BST and 19:00 BST.

The London Underground will not be affected, however, as Tube drivers were set to join the strike, but after talks were suspended.

Whether this will change any plans is still to be seen.

 

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