WORKERS on Arriva Rail North, which operates Northern Rail, are to stage a fresh wave of strikes in a long-running dispute about driver-only trains.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union will walk out from July 8 amid continued deadlock over staffing on new trains.

The union accused the company of ‘digging their heels’ in over the guarantee of a second safety-critical member of staff on services.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “The sheer stubbornness of Arriva Rail North means that we have no option but to confirm a further round of strike action. The responsibility for the inevitable disruption lies wholly with the company.”

Richard Allan, Northern’s deputy managing director, said: “We are deeply disappointed and hugely frustrated that RMT is choosing to cause more pain for our colleagues and customers rather than get round the table to talk first.

“The RMT’s dispute will be solved by talking, not by unnecessary strike action."