LEADING rail union the RMT says it is “horrified” at plans to do away with guards on Merseyrail trains as transport operator Merseytravel unveils its plans for a new £400m fleet.

While a new generation of trains has been welcomed, union bosses say trains must have guards on board at all times to maintain safety and security.

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Passengers and rail workers alike will be horrified at the prospect of Merseyrail trains without guards, says RMT, pointing to the “anti-social abyss” that de-staffed networks elsewhere are already introducing.

The union is seeking urgent meetings with Merseytravel and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to demand an input in the commissioning of new rolling stock, and says it will do everything in its power to defend jobs under threat.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “Serious recent incidents on Merseyrail underline the essential safety role played by guards, and we feel sure that the travelling public, as well as the region’s MPs and councillors, will be horrified at the thought of trains being run without them.

“We will work alongside passenger groups to stop Merseyrail from sliding into the anti-social abyss that we see opening up elsewhere, with ghost trains and de-staffed stations ending up as a muggers’ paradise.

“The case for keeping guards is unanswerable and should be reflected in the bidding process: the bottom line is that we will not hesitate to defend our members’ jobs and public safety.”

RMT regional organiser John Tilley added: “Scrapping guards would fly in the face of the good work we have all done over the last 15 years to make Merseyrail as safe and secure as possible, particularly for vulnerable passengers travelling alone at night.”

Merseytravel bosses say there will be no compulsory redundancies as part of the plans, although some staff will see their roles “re-defined” as maintenance procedures are replaced by newer, more computer-based technology

The modernisation proposals – which are set to be considered by Merseytravel chiefs on October 1 – could see new trains in place by the early 2020s.

But if the role of guards was axed, up to 200 jobs would be affected. Around 70 customer service roles will be created and staff could be redeployed to other departments.

Merseytravel’s chief executive David Brown said: “Merseytravel is committed to delivering the wide range of benefits new trains would bring to the Liverpool City Region, while offering the best value for money for the taxpayer. The proposals will lead to enhanced levels of customer service and provide a safer and more secure operation of the Merseyrail network.

“Merseytravel Chair Cllr Liam Robinson, who already meets with the rail trade unions regularly, will be holding discussions to talk about the proposals in full.

“Merseyrail have offered their employees assurances that all people matters will be handled sensitively and in a considered way.  Our aim, and that of Merseyrail, is to strive to avoid any compulsory redundancies.

“This project, if approved, would take a number of years to implement – and a full fleet of new trains would not be on the network until the early 2020s. Therefore, it is expected that any job losses would primarily be through natural turnover.”