RMT members held a day of action today over Network Rail’s plans to slash £1.2 billion from maintenance, infrastructure and renewals work over the next five years.
Activists from the rail union handed out leaflets at more than 20 stations across the country, warning of increased safety risks if the proposals go ahead.
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“Our railway infrastructure needs to be maintained and improved, which can only happen by increasing investment, not cuts.
“We’ve already had reports of cracked rails, problems with drainage and recent extreme weather events.
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The action is part of the union’s Rail Cuts Cost Lives campaign and follows the government’s decision to cut £1.2bn from the budget for rail renewals in England and Wales and to cut £315 million from the budget for renewals in Scotland.
RMT cited the abolition of Network Rail’s track renewal service, with the loss of 500 jobs and such operations being outsourced to private infrastructure companies, as an example of “dangerous, government-driven cuts.”
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“Safety remains our priority and all proposals will be thoroughly safety validated before we make any final decisions.”
