No cut in guards, railway group told
The dispute that has caused havoc on the rail network in southern England is not likely to spill over towards Mid Wales, a local group has been told.
Southern Rail has removed guards from trains in a cost cutting exercise, and there were fears that our local train operator may follow suit.
But that’s not the case according to information shared at the latest Shrewsbury Aberystwyth Liaison Committee meeting.
“The Committee have asked it to put on record that the Shrewsbury Aberystwyth Liaison Committee would not support in any way the removal of the second rail personnel on every train on the Cambrian Lines,” they said in a statement.
“It is understood from Arriva Trains Wales that they have no plans to remove conductor guards and we understand that this will be the case into the future.
“The Committee is firmly of the view that any loss of a second member of staff on the train is a safety issue.
“Assurance has been sought from Welsh Government that conductor/guards will be retained on the Cambrian Lines for the next Franchise due to start in October 2018.”
Southern Rail want removal of responsibility for closing doors from the guard and given to the driver, ultimately leading to just the driver being on board.
· The line is rural and (apart from set times at a few stations) there are no station staff
· The line is used by a lot of school children
· The confidence passengers have with a conductor/guard on board is not measurable
· The need for a second person for safety reasons (in case of emergency) is clear
· The revenue that would be lost to the line would be extensive
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