ARRIVA has called the RMT rail union “premature” after it announced it would begin immediate preparations for a ballot for industrial action in a row over the role of guards.

The union said the company’s Northern franchise was failing to offer any assurances over the “safety critical role” of guards amid fears that it could move to driver-only trains.

The issue has already led to strike action at other train operators elsewhere in the country.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “We will not agree to any extensions of driver only operation and will fight to retain the safety critical role of the guard.”

Mr Cash said the company had been asked if they were prepared to guarantee a second person on all passenger services, including retaining full operational responsibility for despatching trains and detailing with any contingency arrangements, but was told it was not in a position to do so at the present time.

He accused Arriva of “putting passenger safety before profit”.

A spokesman for Northern said: “We are in the early stages of developing our modernisation plans to bring customers a better railway, so we believe the RMT is extremely premature in calling a ballot for strikes.

“We want to protect jobs and pay as we work together to provide safe, secure and accessible services for our customers.”