TRANSPORT Secretary Chris Grayling has criticised the Rail, Maritime and Transport union’s “ongoing attempts to disrupt passengers’ lives” after members on South Western Railway voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action this week in a dispute over rail safety.

Farnham and Alton commuters are facing widespread disruption and delays after more than 80 per cent of RMT union members on South Western Railway (SWR) voted to strike on a turnout of over 76 per cent, with even higher numbers voting for action short of a strike.

Strike dates have not yet been announced by the RMT, but the dispute threatens a repeat of more than 18 months of disruption seen on Southern Rail in a similar row over driver-only operated trains and the role of guards.

The RMT says the ballots, covering guards, commercial guards and driver members, comes after a failure by the new SWR franchise holder First MTR to give “clear, cast-iron assurances" over the future of guards on their trains.

Mick Cash, RMT General Secretary, said: “RMT has given repeated opportunities for First MTR to give us the assurances we have sought over the future role of the guards on their trains throughout the length of the new South Western franchise.

“They have refused to give us those guarantees and it is that failure which left RMT with no option but to declare a formal dispute with the company and to conduct a ballot for action.

“Our members have now voted overwhelmingly for both strike action and action short of a strike and that massive mandate will now be considered by RMT’s executive who will decide the next steps.

“This dispute can be easily resolved if the company are prepared to stick to existing agreements, give staff and passengers alike a guarantee of a second, safety-critical member of staff on all current services and an assurance that safety and access are the absolute priority.

“RMT remains available for talks.”

Responding, a South Western Railway spokesman said: “We are disappointed that some of our staff have chosen to vote for industrial action. None of us want to be in this position and any potential action will cause unnecessary disruption for the customers we serve.

“We have been clear that we plan to retain a second person on our services, as we know that our passengers value the assurance and assistance a second member of on-board staff provides. That’s why, during our franchise, we will increase the numbers of drivers and guards so we can deliver more services for passengers.

“We aim to deliver improvements for passengers throughout the SWR franchise including new trains, quicker journeys, and earlier and later services. Today’s announcement undermines those efforts.

“We urge the RMT to avoid premature strike action and work with us to deliver for our customers, and we look forward to meeting them again to discuss our future plans on October 5 as already arranged.”

Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling, has also criticised RMT’s vote as “unnecessary”, pleading with both parties to seek a resolution that does not cause disruption for the 650,000 passengers who board South Western Railway services every day.

In a letter to MPs, Mr Grayling said: “It is clear that this dispute is not about jobs. South Western Railway have been clear - no one will lose their job and they plan to keep a second member of staff on board trains. In fact the train operator has announced plans to hire even more guards and drivers.

“Nor is the RMT’s dispute about safety, as the independent rail regulator, the Office of Rail and Road, has ruled that driver-controlled trains are safe.

“Passengers will face needless disruption if strikes are called.

“South Western Railway are working to deliver the improved services passengers have asked for, it is the RMT who are taking unnecessary strike action.

• In better news for commuters, the threat of looming industrial action coincides with SWR confirming plans to reinstate direct rail services seven days a week between Farnham and Guildford from December 9, 2018.

Unveiled last Friday as part of a consultation on its December 2018 timetable, SWR proposes splitting the existing Guildford-Aldershot-Ascot service to provide half-hourly trains between Farnham and Guildford from Monday to Saturday, reverting to an hourly service on Sundays.