NORTHERN rail says it is “disappointed” by the timing of two new strikes by RMT members on its network.

The company said the latest stoppages on Friday and next Monday – announced earlier this month –were planned to coincide with people returning to school and work after the summer holidays.

Sharon Keith, regional director of Northern, said: “The action aims to cause disruption to people’s lives, businesses and the economy.”

Northern said it expected to run more than 900 services on both strike days between 7am and 7pm, with final services on some routes finishing before 7pm. All trains would be busier than normal.

The RMT has been in dispute with Northern regarding a long-running dispute over rail safety and the move towards driver only trains.

It says the ‘safety critical’ role of on-board conductors, or guards, which include opening and closing doors and ensuring the safety of passengers, will be removed.

Northern, which plans to introduce 286 new carriages, 243 upgraded trains and 2,000 extra services each week by 2020, said it had underlined during recent talks that it was prepared to guarantee jobs and current pay for its conductors for the next eight years.

However the sticking point appears to be Northern’s desire to make changes to the on-board colleague role, which would see affected staff become more customer facing both on trains and at stations.

The RMT recently said Northern had blocked any chance of progress in the talks.

Ms Keith said: “Our offers to discuss every detail on the future responsibilities and training for on-board colleagues have been rejected by RMT.

“We urge them to get back round the table with us quickly and talk seriously about our modernisation, not take unnecessary strike action.”