THE RMT union has accused the region’s biggest rail firm of breaching legal commitments to the disabled as passengers endured yet another day of disruption caused by strike action.

Members at Northern rail, operated by Arriva, walked out for 24 hours on Friday, the latest in a series of stoppages which have also hit Southern and Merseyrail.

Another strike will be held on Monday.

The RMT is in dispute with Northern as it wants to retain a second “safety critical” member of staff on all trains, roles currently undertaken by conductors.

As part of a move to so-called driver only trains, Northern is proposing such roles become more customer focused, which would involve assisting passengers at stations.

The RMT said Northern had only committed to a second person on “many trains” and indeed wanted to explore options where there may not be a second person on board at all.

General Secretary Mick Cash claimed such a move would breach the requirements of its operating licence which requires it to establish and comply with a disabled people’s protection policy.

He said: “This means there will always be assistance available to get on and off the train and there will also always be assistance available when on board the train.

“It also guarantees there will always be a conductor to inform and protect older and disabled passengers in emergencies and carry out evacuations.

“Northern’s latest message to their own staff that the company no longer wish to provide this protection and assistance for older and disabled passengers is an absolute scandal and rolls the clock back on the rights of older and disabled people.”

Alan Chaplin, Northern’s managing director, said: “We proposed to RMT’s general secretary that they work alongside us to develop the detail of any changes to the on-board role and explore how we might staff trains, also inviting them to suspend any planned strike action in the coming months.

“Frustratingly this offer was rejected, but we are determined to find a resolution to their dispute.

“We are working hard to overcome the accessibility challenges the industry faces and that is why we want to make our people more visible and available than ever before to help and support customers.”