THERE is ‘no end in sight’ to the rail strikes which have hit the mid Cheshire line 11 times this year.

That’s the message Craig Johnston, relief regional organiser for the north west at the RMT union, which is locked in a battle with Arriva Rail North over the future role of guards.

His warning comes a week after the union claimed that nine stations on the mid Cheshire line would become ‘no-go zones’ if the company’s policy to introduce driver-only operation trains came into effect, plus two on the Manchester to Crewe line.

Delamere, Cuddington, Greenbank, Lostock Gralam, Plumley, Mobberley, Ashley and Goostrey are among 330 stations across the north that the RMT believes would become crime hotspots as a result of the plan, while disabled or elderly passengers could face travelling without assistance when boarding or terminating at the stops.

“Guards have more than 30 safety operational responsibilities, and they have to have exams to maintain them,” Craig told the Guardian.

“That covers fires, evacuations, overhead power line faults, or dealing with anti-social behaviour and helping passengers with limited access.

“That’s particularly the case where there are unstaffed stations. Guards are qualified to look after passengers, and can step in when a driver can’t.

“Arriva wants to get rid of guards on 50 per cent of services at a time when reports of anti-social behaviour are up – it doesn’t make sense.”

Craig insists there has been ‘no progress whatsoever’ in talks between RMT and Arriva, but believes the public understands why the strikes are important.

He added: “We appreciate people have been inconvenienced and that is regrettable, but we have a great deal of public support. The majority of passengers know this is about safety.

“It’s taking risks, and we don’t believe you should take risks.”

Last week, the Guardian reported that almost 60 per cent of trains on the mid Cheshire line were late over the past five months.

Craig was not surprised by the figures, and said he understood why the line was branded ‘not fit for purpose’ after the figures were released at a Northwich Town Council meeting.

“If you look at the north of England, we are nowhere near the amount of investment that London has had in rail,” Craig added.

“We’ve been pushing for better, bigger, more reliable trains across the whole country for years.”