Updated 10.25

New plans for East West Rail have been published following a public consultation, including a reduction in the number of stations between Bletchley and Bedford and a new station at Cambridge East, but the rail unions are opposing Chiltern’s intention to run driver-only trains on the newest section, between Bicester and Bletchley, which has now been confirmed.

There are also problems at Winslow, which has been completed for more than a year but like the rest of that section has yet to see a scheduled passenger train. Chiltern is reported to be describing the new station as a ‘wind tunnel’, while it has also been claimed that the cost of security staff at the unopened station is in the region of £1 million annually.

Unions are pointing to the stabbings on board a London-bound LNER train three weeks ago, and the vital role played by staff on board the train. One was critically injured trying to protect his passengers, while the driver was able to concentrate on communicating with control to arrange a diversion on to the up slow line so that the train could stop at Huntingdon, where the emergency services were able to take action.

RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said: ‘A guaranteed safety critical second person on board a train service is essential for performing a range of functions and responding appropriately to potentially dangerous incidents.

‘It is important we establish with any employer an agreed method of dispatching the train with the necessary safety critical skills and duties incorporated within the role of the second onboard crew member.

‘What is clear from the appalling mass stabbing at Huntingdon is that quick reactions of the guard and other onboard crew in raising the alarm, meant that the seriousness of the situation was fully understood by control, signalling and the BTP, meaning appropriate action could be swiftly taken.

‘There are DOO services that run on that line and if the incident had taken place on that type of service it could not have been resolved as quickly, putting passengers further at risk.

‘We need a clear commitment from Chiltern that they will not make their service DOO and a second safety critical member of staff will be a mandatory requirement for the service to run.

‘Passengers rightly value having the guarantee of a second member of staff on their services and RMT remains steadfastly opposed to Driver Only Operation.

‘Our members will take industrial action, if necessary, to defend the role of the safety critical second person on board.’

Chiltern Railways told Railnews: ‘Since being announced as operator of the first stage of East West Rail between Oxford and Milton Keynes in March, we have been working at pace to get everything ready for passenger services to begin on the new line.

‘Significant progress has been made, including the hiring and training of 44 train drivers, the creation of a new colleague facility at Bletchley, and the fit out of a new modern station with step-free access at Winslow. 

’However, there is work still to finish to prepare the trains, on Winslow station and on the operating arrangements for the new route. We are continuing to work with our partners on these to progress them as soon as possible.

‘This means that we will not be able to start passenger services before the end of the year. We understand this will be disappointing to people looking forward to using the new route.

‘We continue to work closely with Government, trade unions and industry partners, and will provide further updates when we are able to.’

Meanwhile, the DfT’s present Chiltern Railways contract with Arriva is due to end later next year, as part of the government’s programme of renationalisation.

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