Rail chaos looms: Strikes to go ahead as talks break down

TWO days of strikes on Scotland's rail services will go ahead this week after talks aimed at averting the action broke down today.

Network Rail signalling workers will walk out at noon tomorrow on the first of two 24-hour strikes, with the second starting at noon on Thursday.

A row over staff rosters is at the heart of the dispute.
Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union officials met Network Rail managers today but failed to find a resolution.

Network Rail said it was "bitterly disappointed" at the prospect of strikes.

Eight hours of talks were held at conciliation service Acas in Glasgow on Friday but ended without resolution, and the two sides reconvened today.

David Simpson, Network Rail route director in Scotland, said: "Despite our best efforts to resolve this dispute during our talks with Acas today and on Friday, we are bitterly disappointed to inform passengers and freight operators that the RMT still intends to take strike action this week.

"We have been unable to shift the union from their position – a position that puts safety at risk by demanding safety assessments be voluntary, not compulsory.

"We have prepared a contingency train service which aims to reduce the impact on passengers as far as possible.

"Details are available from train operators and National Rail Enquiries."

Network Rail said it has no intention of changing the established principle that rostered hours are binding.

The RMT said Network Rail wants to make changes to rostered hours but the company claimed this was untrue.

About 450 members of the RMT union in Scotland will take part in the strikes.
First ScotRail said last week there will be severe disruption if the strikes are not averted.

It said services would have to wind down after the morning peak on Tuesday and Thursday and there would be reduced frequency and capacity on routes where services are provided.

Mary Grant, managing director of First ScotRail, said: "We will be disappointed if the dispute is not resolved and apologise in advance to all who would be affected and inconvenienced by a strike which is outwith our control."

Tartan Army warned of rail disruption

Scotland fans face rail misery ahead of Saturday's World Cup qualifier with Norway.

Major works on the Edinburgh to Glasgow line will reduce train services by half – and those that do run will take 25 minutes longer.

A statement on the Scottish Football Association website today said the engineering works were planned before the date of the big match was arranged.

The main Edinburgh - Glasgow Queen Street service will run half-hourly rather than every 15 minutes throughout the day and journey times will be extended by up to 25 minutes.

Extra services will operate from Linlithgow to Glasgow Queen Street from mid-morning to lunchtime, and there will be an hourly service between Edinburgh and Glasgow Central.

The works also mean that the line between Bathgate and Edinburgh will be closed on Saturday, though a replacement bus service will operate.

Steve Montgomery, Operations and Safety Director at First ScotRail, said: "We are running as many services as possible to keep inconvenience to a minimum on 11 October.

"Journeys will take longer than normal and passengers should allow more time for travel."