RETENTION OF GUARDS ON MERSEYRAIL TRAINS

That this House welcomes the current guarantee of a guard on every train to provide service, safety and security for Merseyrail passengers; recognises the vital role that guards play in providing advice and assistance and deterring criminal and anti-social behaviour; acknowledges that guards have essential skills and training to enable them to carry out safety critical duties including dealing with fire, evacuations and driver incapacity; is concerned by proposals to remove all of the guards to help pay for new rolling stock, resulting in a dispute situation and strike action on Merseyrail trains; is further concerned that the cuts are being proposed despite Merseyrail paying out up to £14 million a year, or one quarter of all passenger income, in dividends; believes that guards are vital for passenger service safety and security; and therefore calls for guards to be retained on Merseyrail trains.