A six day strike of signallers has begun in South Wales, but Network Rail said it would have ‘minimal effect on rail services’. The main line is not expected to be affected, although there will be some disruption on the Coryton, City and Penarth to Rhymney lines today and tomorrow.

NR route director Chris Rayner said: “We will not allow this unnecessary strike to cause major disruption to passengers. We have a tried and tested contingency plan in place. Trained staff will be standing in for strikers, so that passenger services run pretty much as normal. Safety will not be compromised – either in the arrangements for covering the strike or as part of the proposed roster that enables signallers to work shorter hours. We’re also providing support for any signallers who want to work.

“Our doors remain open to discussion and we urge the unions to meet us to find a sensible solution. This strike is a pointless distraction from giving the service that passengers want and is also hitting our people in their pocket just before Christmas. RMT needs to recognise economic reality and bring itself into the modern world of work.”

RMT general secretary Bob Crow responded: “Our members are rock solid in their determination to stop the bulldozing through of rosters which we believe are all about saving money and which unilaterally rip up existing agreements. This is nothing less than an attempt by management to impose working conditions that will allow them to shove staff around at will and force them to work up to 13 days back to back to cover for vacancies and save Network Rail money. The existing 12-hour roster is tried and tested and that the 8 hour roster that Network Rail are trying to impose at the new South Wales Control Centre when it opens in January will have damaging consequences for both staff and the service. Work-life balance arrangements will be wrecked in a drive to make financial cuts.”