RMT calls for investigation and halt to cuts after another overhead failure on West Coast Mainline

Publication Date: February 8 2010

BRITAIN’S BIGGEST rail union today called for an investigation into Network Rail’s maintenance failings on the West Coast Mainline after the latest in a series of overhead line failures put a stop to train services in both directions.

RMT has also demanded that Network Rail suspend plans to axe 1,500 maintenance jobs as part of a cost-cutting plan that the union says would lead to repeated chaos and could precipitate a major rail disaster.

The union is already preparing to ballot up to 12,000 maintenance members over the threat to jobs.

RMT warns that the latest overhead line failure, at Berkhamsted, is the third in just three months and represents the shape of things to come if Network Rail goes ahead with its planned cuts.

“Our reps are telling us that there were just three people on duty at the depot that covers Berkhamsted, and that the chaos was worsened by delays in getting skilled staff out to sort the problem,” RMT general secretary Bob Crow said today.

“We know that Network Rail has been chipping away at staffing levels and wants to reduce the complement of permanent staff on  overhead lines by a quarter.

“Despite the £9 billion upgrade to the West Coast line there are still clearly major problems, yet Network Rail is aiming nearly half of its proposed job cuts at the route.

“This is exactly the sort of chaos we have warned will be caused regularly if Network Rail goes ahead with its cash-driven cuts policy, and it must be stopped ,” Bob Crow said.