NORTHERN rail says it remains “committed to finding a way forward” in the dispute with the RMT after the union called for urgent talks.

The RMT said it had written to Northern and other train companies where there were “current or potential disputes over the threat to the role of the guard”.

Its members have held a series of walkouts across the country, fearing the impact of so-called driver only trains.

The union held a meeting with Transport Secretary Chris Grayling, primarily to discuss a lengthy dispute on Southern rail services, but raised concerns over the extension of driver only operation at other operators.

General secretary Mick Cash said: “The Secretary of State said he was not sitting on companies telling them what to do and we are therefore writing to all of the relevant companies seeking urgent discussions.”

Richard Allan, Northern’s deputy managing director, said:

“We want to resume the talks already started and work with the RMT on guarantees we want to give our employees.

“Our aim is to reach a constructive resolution, but we want talks to be meaningful and based around how we can work together to bring Northern’s modernisation plans to life.”

Mr Allan said it had invited the union to suspend its recent three day strike action and remained committed to finding a way forward.