Menu
01/04/2005
Urgent talks avert threatened rail strike
Train drivers union Aslef has called off the threat of a rail strike on Monday after urgent talks were held today.
Aslef had been threating to disrupt services in a major row over rail safety, claiming that thousands of drivers would refuse to drive trains through areas covered by a contentious communications system. However, the union entered into talks on Friday afternoon, involving Network Rail, the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) and the Rail Safety and Standards.
Thousands of drivers were said to be prepared to disrupt services passing through Stoke and Leddbum Junction (NW coast mainline), the Dorset Coast and Horsham from April 4.
Aslef said that "utter chaos" would be caused by the action, which would involve trains operated by Virgin, West Coast, Silverlink, Central Trains and Southern Trains, amongst others.
Agreement was reached on safety levels following the talks on Friday afternoon.
Prior to the meeting Aslef's Acting General Secretary Keith Norman said that union members felt that safety levels had declined to the point where they could "no longer cooperate with a safety lottery".
The row erupted following a breakdown in on-going talks between Aslef and Network Rail regarding the ability of drivers to alert other trains and signal operators to an accident or other problem on the track.
Drivers had been dissatisfied with a temporary solution to the problem, 'Interim Voice Radio System' (IVRS), was introduced, but Aslef said that it was seen to have "system failures".
(KMcA/SP)
Aslef had been threating to disrupt services in a major row over rail safety, claiming that thousands of drivers would refuse to drive trains through areas covered by a contentious communications system. However, the union entered into talks on Friday afternoon, involving Network Rail, the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) and the Rail Safety and Standards.
Thousands of drivers were said to be prepared to disrupt services passing through Stoke and Leddbum Junction (NW coast mainline), the Dorset Coast and Horsham from April 4.
Aslef said that "utter chaos" would be caused by the action, which would involve trains operated by Virgin, West Coast, Silverlink, Central Trains and Southern Trains, amongst others.
Agreement was reached on safety levels following the talks on Friday afternoon.
Prior to the meeting Aslef's Acting General Secretary Keith Norman said that union members felt that safety levels had declined to the point where they could "no longer cooperate with a safety lottery".
The row erupted following a breakdown in on-going talks between Aslef and Network Rail regarding the ability of drivers to alert other trains and signal operators to an accident or other problem on the track.
Drivers had been dissatisfied with a temporary solution to the problem, 'Interim Voice Radio System' (IVRS), was introduced, but Aslef said that it was seen to have "system failures".
(KMcA/SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
07 April 2005
London commuters set to get free paper
The way has been cleared for a new afternoon or evening newspaper to be distributed to London commuters, following the completion of an OFT investigation.
London commuters set to get free paper
The way has been cleared for a new afternoon or evening newspaper to be distributed to London commuters, following the completion of an OFT investigation.
13 January 2012
Legal Action Taken Over Cumbrian Rail Crash
It has been revealed that Network rail is to be prosecuted over the Cumbrian rail crash back in 2007, which claimed one life. The rail regulation body, The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) has said that they have started legal proceedings against Network Rail for a breach of health and safety law.
Legal Action Taken Over Cumbrian Rail Crash
It has been revealed that Network rail is to be prosecuted over the Cumbrian rail crash back in 2007, which claimed one life. The rail regulation body, The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) has said that they have started legal proceedings against Network Rail for a breach of health and safety law.
08 November 2011
High Speed Rail Network Gets Backing
A government committee has announced that a high-speed rail link between London and Birmingham has a "good case". The announcement comes after the Government carried out a public consultation on the proposal and the recommended route for an initial high-speed line from London to the West Midlands.
High Speed Rail Network Gets Backing
A government committee has announced that a high-speed rail link between London and Birmingham has a "good case". The announcement comes after the Government carried out a public consultation on the proposal and the recommended route for an initial high-speed line from London to the West Midlands.
10 October 2011
Train To Take Strain In South West
Passengers in the South West will see a greater community involvement with the designation of the Heart of Wessex Line between Bristol and Weymouth as a community rail service, Rail Minister Theresa Villiers announced today.
Train To Take Strain In South West
Passengers in the South West will see a greater community involvement with the designation of the Heart of Wessex Line between Bristol and Weymouth as a community rail service, Rail Minister Theresa Villiers announced today.
13 January 2012
Regulator Prosecutes Network Rail For Grayrigg Train Derailment
The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) has today started criminal proceedings against Network Rail for a breach of health and safety law which caused a train to derail near Grayrigg in 2007. On 23 February 2007, the 17.15 Virgin Trains service from London Euston to Glasgow Central derailed on the West Coast Mainline near Grayrigg in Cumbria.
Regulator Prosecutes Network Rail For Grayrigg Train Derailment
The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) has today started criminal proceedings against Network Rail for a breach of health and safety law which caused a train to derail near Grayrigg in 2007. On 23 February 2007, the 17.15 Virgin Trains service from London Euston to Glasgow Central derailed on the West Coast Mainline near Grayrigg in Cumbria.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A rather cloudy morning, with a little patchy light rain or drizzle to start. Skies clearing and becoming dry and increasingly sunny in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 13 °C.Tonight:Dry with prolonged clear spells through the evening and overnight. This will allow for some fog patches to develop in places overnight. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
