PICKET lines were in place across the North this weekend as railway workers completed the 45th strike in the row over train guards.

The RMT union has been in dispute with railway operator Northern for more than a year over the use of driver-only operated trains and recently announced a string of new strike action on Saturdays throughout February.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “RMT members across Northern are standing rock solid and united again on this 45th ‎day of strike action as the company ploughs on regardless with its plans to throw guards off their trains and resorts to a barrage of complete misinformation aimed at the travelling public over their clear intention to introduce widespread driver only operation.

“My message to the company this morning is quite simple – stop spinning and start talking

David Brown, managing director at Northern, said: “There is no reason for RMT to continue this needless strike action. The Department for Transport and Transport for the North have guaranteed that all current conductors will continue to work in modernised on-board roles on all trains to provide customer service. This will include helping customers with accessibility, personal security, ticketing and information."