Peter Rickaby of Selby criticises York Central MP Rachael Maskell for supporting the RMT in protecting the safety-critical role of the railway passenger guard ("MP should be on her guard in rail dispute", Letters, November 22). He states that over the past 15 years train services into Leeds, York and Selby etc. are all operated without a guard present.
As a former railway guard (contract definition Conductor) I can assure him that the safety case which allows the operation of railway services in this area are without exception only possible with a qualified person present whether local terminology describes them as conductor, train manager etc. etc. If Mr Rickaby has travelled on train services without such a person present the trains he has travelled on must have operated illegally.
Lisa Dunster,
Appleton Roebuck,
York
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