Unions rally against 'life and death' rail cuts

Network Rail bosses plan to cut 1,500 jobs and make 21 per cent efficiency savings for the next five years, which unions fear will increase the risk of accidents on the network.

Around 50 representatives of rail unions RMT and TSSA waving union flags braved the wind and rain, with many passing motorists honking their horns in support.

RMT national president Alex Gordon lambasted Network Rail for the cuts, saying that the union would not allow members to be "put in the dock" over any future accidents on the rail network as a result.

Explaining why the protest was taking place, Mr Gordon said: "We're here trying to say to people in London that there are faceless bureaucrats at Network Rail who are making life and death decisions with these cuts."

Mr Gordon recalled the disasters of Hatfield, Potters Bar and Ladbroke Grove, which killed 40 people in total, adding that privatisation had been the main contributor.

TSSA general secretary Gerry Doherty said that if members voted for strike action, discussions would begin to co-ordinate strike dates with RMT.

Condemning the fragmented rail system, Mr Doherty pointed out that "the taxpayer is paying five times the railway subsidy than when it was publicly owned."

A spokesman for Network Rail said: "It's a pity the union leadership of the RMT and TSSA found the time to shout at passing car users rather than get round the table with us to sort this dispute out."