NORTHERN Rail guards and drivers are set to take fresh action early next month.

The RMT union has confirmed the walkout is scheduled for Saturday April 8  - Grand National Day in Liverpool.

Northern manages many trains which call at Sankey, Warrington Central, Padgate, Birchwood and Glazebury.

The action will be for 24 hours on the Saturday.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “The continuing refusal of the company to give a simple, lasting guarantee that protects the safety-critical role of the guard on their trains leaves RMT with no option but to announce this further day of strike action.

"The date we have announced gives Arriva Rail North (Northern) ample time to get round the table with us and negotiate a settlement that puts passenger safety right at its core.

“This dispute, and the industrial action we have announced today, were entirely preventable if the company had listened to the unions deep-seated safety concerns, had taken them seriously, stuck to their earlier commitments and had put passenger safety before profit."

Richard Allen, deputy manager at Arriva Rail North (Northern) said he was surprised at the move as they had been due to organise further talks.