RAIL union RMT demonstrated against Chiltern Railways’ plans for driver-only operation on East West Rail services today.

The protest outside Marylebone station in London was staged a day after the firm was renationalised.

Union members are currently being balloted for strike action after the company refused to provide guarantees over the safety-critical role of the second person on board.

RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said that the driver-only operation proposed on East-West represented a significant risk to safety and the current train manager roles at Chiltern.

He said: “The actions of Chiltern management to not take these concerns seriously is totally unacceptable.

“RMT will not accept the watering down of safety on the rail network.”

The result of the ballot for industrial action on Chiltern closes next Tuesday (September 29).

Tony Baxter, interim managing director of Chiltern Railways, said: “Chiltern has put forward a proposal that every East West Rail service it will run will have two people on board — the driver, and a colleague looking after passengers: checking tickets, helping people who need assistance, and on hand to assist with any issues.

“This new route between Oxford and Milton Keynes opens up jobs, education, and leisure for thousands of people who didn’t have access before. It also means over 100 new permanent jobs at Chiltern, and no changes to the roles of existing colleagues.

“We are proposing to run these services the way that Chiltern has safely operated many of its trains over decades. We are therefore disappointed that the RMT has decided to ballot for industrial action against this proposal.”