TWO days of train strikes will hit passengers at the beginning of next month following a safety dispute between staff and rail companies.

Members of the RMT union will walk out on October 3 and October 5 in opposition to plans for trains to become driver only operated.

Northern Rail trains to and from Warrington Central will be among those affected.

A spokesman for the union said members are ‘frustrated’ that no progress has been made in talks.

They want rail companies to guarantee there will be a second member of staff on trains for safety reasons.

The union objects to the ‘dangerous’ scheme and accused train companies of ‘gross hypocrisy’ by calling on staff to be more vigilant after the Parsons Green bombing while at the same time getting rid of guards on services.

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said: “The public, who support RMT’s campaign for a guarantee of a guard on their trains, will be appalled that Arriva Rail North have failed yet again to offer any kind of progress whatsoever in the talks and have instead opted to try and bulldoze through their plans regardless.

“The union continues to remain available for meaningful discussions with the company in order to seek a satisfactory resolution to the on-going dispute.”

In response Richard Allan, Northern’s deputy managing director, said: "Northern is modernising local rail with new and refurbished trains, better stations and faster journeys and, while strike action is disruptive, we remain firmly focused on delivering a better service for our customers.

"RMT continues to reject our offers to talk and we are disappointed that the union has called further strike action. We are still prepared to guarantee jobs and current pay for all our conductors for the next eight years.”