A RAIL company which runs services across the North-East has offered to guarantee a second staff member on new trains in addition to a driver, heading off a potential clash with unions.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union had told Arriva Northern it would be in dispute unless it received assurances by Friday on the retention of guards with safety-critical roles.

The union said it had been told the company is prepared to offer a guarantee of a second employee on its trains.

A statement issued yesterday by the RMT said: “In view of these developments RMT is seeking an urgent meeting with the company to come up with a comprehensive proposal to meet these objectives.”

Northern is the region’s biggest rail operator and its routes include Bishop Auckland to Saltburn and the coastal route connecting Newcastle with Sunderland and Middlesbrough.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “RMT welcomes the opportunity to engage in positive talks with Arriva Northern over the best method for train dispatch and staff safety competencies, and will be seeking a meeting with the company at the earliest opportunity.

“Ultimately our aim will be to receive a guarantee that there will be a second safety-critical member of staff on board their trains.”

A company spokesman said: “We are in the very early stages of an ambitious programme to modernise rail travel for our customers which will deliver a safe, secure and accessible Northern network.

“Over the next few years customers will benefit from new and refurbished trains, station improvements, more seats and extra services.

“These proposals have yet to be fully developed but we are committed to discussing how to bring them to life with colleagues, their representatives, customers and communities.

“We are pleased that we are continuing our talks with our RMT colleagues about the future.”

The RMT is embroiled in a long-running dispute with Southern Railway over the role of guards, which has sparked a series of strikes, causing huge disruption to travellers in the south of England.

Meanwhile, earlier this month Northern avoided potential strike action in this region by agreeing an across the board pay deal with unions.

The RMT had balloted its members for strike action, but that was halted after the company said more than 5,000 employees would receive a 2.2 per cent increase for the current year, backdated to April last year, plus a further increase of 2.4 per cent from April this year. Agreement was reached not only with the RMT, but other unions including ASLEF and the TSSA.