FURTHER strike action over an ongoing guard safety dispute will affect commuters on the region’s railways next month.

The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) has confirmed two days of strike action on Arriva Rail North on Friday, September 1, and Monday, September 4.

It comes following a meeting regarding a long-running dispute over rail safety and the move towards driver only operation.

The union said the company had “blocked any chance of making progress” in talks on Friday with its general secretary Mick Cash.

Mr Cash said: “The public, who support RMT’s campaign for a guarantee of a guard on their trains, will be appalled that Arriva Rail North have failed yet again to offer any kind of progress whatsoever.”

The RMT are calling for a guarantee of a so-called second safety-critical member of staff on trains.

However, responding to the RMT’s announcement last week, Alan Chaplin, managing director of Northern, which is operated by Arriva Rail North, said: “Northern is modernising with new and updated trains, faster and more frequent services, and better stations from now until 2020.

“We want to make changes to the on-board colleague role to make it fit for the future, better supporting customers on trains and at stations.”