Retention Of Railway Guards

EDM number 151 in 2016-17, proposed by Ian Mearns on 07/06/2016.
Categorised under the topics of Employment and Railways.

That this House welcomes the fact that passengers on two thirds of the rail network are currently guaranteed the protection of a highly-trained railway guard; notes that the guard must be fully trained in operational safety and route knowledge, including protecting the train and acting in emergencies such as derailments, fires, driver incapacitation, and is also responsible for safely securing the doors and protecting the platform train interface; further welcomes the fact that the guard’s safety role also means passengers are guaranteed to have a guard on board their train at all times to provide advice, assurance and assistance and to look after disabled, older and other passengers who may be vulnerable; believes that this train guard guarantee is even more relevant at a time of growing passenger numbers and heightened security threats; is therefore concerned that the Government and some rail operators are seeking to introduce driver­-only operation, which will jeopardise passenger safety and service by removing guards, meaning that the driver will be expected to drive the train whilst at the same time being responsible for passenger safety; and calls on the Government and rail employers to withdraw proposals for driver-only operation and instead work constructively with ASLEF and RMT to protect passenger service and safety.

This motion has been signed by a total of 24 MPs.