AN END could be in sight to the long-running dispute on Northern Rail over guards.

Rail union RMT today offered to suspend industrial action this weekend subject to the company agreeing to a series of crucial guarantees on the second person on their trains.

RMT's executive said: ‎”This union is and always has been available for talks and we are prepared to engage in talks immediately via ACAS. We welcome the correspondence from Transport for the North, the Department for Transport and the company. We note however that Arriva Rail North have not made any clear proposals to this union to resolve this dispute.

“We are available across the weekend and would welcome talks commencing as soon as possible and further reiterate our numerous previous requests for tripartite talks with both the company and DFT.

“In addition, we will be prepared to suspend the industrial action planned for Saturday 1st December 2018 providing that clarity is received from the company regarding ‘a new proposal that will see the retention of a second person on-board trains’ and specifically around the following three points: 1. There is an absolute 100% guarantee that no trains will run without the second member of staff on board. 2. That the second member of staff will be clearly designated as safety critical to the running of all services. 3. That the second member of staff will retain the full suite of safety and operational competencies of the guard, including a direct role at the platform/train interface and train despatch.

"We will require this clarity no later than 12:00 on Friday 30th November 2018 in order to suspend the action.”

Government agency Transport for the North this week said it does not support removing the second person from trains, the main reason for the RMT calling their series of strikes.

In a statement Northern said they welcomed the commitment from the Department for Transport and Transport for the North for a second person to be retained on board Northern services and called for talks with the RMT.

The next planned strike is on Saturday and will see more disruption to travellers including the total closure of Bradford Forster Square station.

On past dispute days Northern has been able to run hourly services to Shipley to link with Airedale and Wharfedale line services but this Saturday there will only be trains to Leeds from Skipton and Ilkley.

Travellers are being advised to make alternative arrangements to get to Bradford Forster Square.

There will be some rail services into Bradford Interchange.