THE managing director of the company that owns strike-hit Hull Trains is to step down.

Martijn Gilbert, who was managing director of Go North East, will step away from his position with immediate effect.

Members of Aslef have staged a series of strikes for months over the sacking of a colleague for a safety issue.

Steve Montgomery, First Rail managing director, confirmed Mr Gilbert would leave the role after nearly three years to “pursue another leadership opportunity.”

Stuart Jones will be managing director of First Rail’s open access businesses and Fran Barrett will take on the leadership of Tram Operations Limited and London Cableway on an interim basis.

Aslef has been critical of Mr Gilbert’s role in the dispute.

The union says the driver was unfairly sacked for raising a safety issue, which the company denies.