Commuter safety scare as trackside doors of train unlocked by mistake

Published on Monday 1 March 2010 21:54

THE main rail union has raised safety fears after a stand-in ScotRail conductor unlocked doors on the wrong side of a train during yesterday's one-day strike.

The Edinburgh-bound service is understood to have been cancelled because of the incident at Queen Street station in Glasgow.

The Rail Maritime and Transport union (RMT) said the incident had "potential lethal consequences" and called for an independent inquiry.

It is believed to have involved a manager, who activated doors on both sides of the train as it stood at a platform before its scheduled 7:15am departure.

This meant passengers could have opened doors on the opposite side of the train and fallen on to tracks. It is not known how many people were on board at the time.

ScotRail, run by Aberdeen-based FirstGroup, has trained more than 200 managers – some from sister train operators – to take over from around 500 striking conductors taking part in a series of three 24-hour strikes.

Several dozen drivers who are RMT members also took part.

Yesterday's action followed the first walkout on 20 February, while a third strike has been called for Saturday, 13 March – the day of the Scotland v England Calcutta Cup rugby clash at Murrayfield in Edinburgh.

The dispute is over ScotRail's plans for drivers to take over control of train doors from conductors on a new Edinburgh-Glasgow line via Bathgate and Airdrie, due to open in December.

An RMT spokesman said: "The 7:15am Edinburgh service was cancelled – a guard from management opened doors on to tracks with potential lethal consequences.

"We are calling for a halt to the dangerous practice of using undertrained managers from all over First's operations across the UK in light of the incident."

Robert Samson, Scotland manager for official watchdog Passenger Focus, said: "Strike or no strike, the safety and security of passengers should be of paramount importance and all staff on the railways should be trained to a high standard.

"It is passengers who suffer during industrial action, so we urge all parties to get round the table to find a solution."

A ScotRail spokesman stressed the doors had been activated but not opened: "Therefore, no-one was put at risk and safety was not compromised."

He said more than nine in ten services operated yesterday, and more than during the first walk-out.

However, there were no trains to Mallaig, Oban, Kyle of Lochalsh, Wick, Thurso, Stranraer and Carlisle via Dumfries. A reduced service operated on the Edinburgh-Perth route, with some cancellations on other lines.

Peace talks between ScotRail and the RMT broke down last week.