A transport chief today hit out at rail workers who plan to strike this weekend, condemning their action as "short sighted and damaging".

Metro chairman Councillor Mick Lyons said he was "dismayed" that members of the RMT union had still not reached an agreement with bosses at Arriva Trains Northern.

Guards represented by the RMT are due to walk-out for their latest 48-hour stoppage tomorrow and Saturday. And ticket office staff represented by the RMT and TSSA are engaged in their own dispute which ends at 9pm today.

Coun Lyons said: "Having spent all my working life in this industry, I have to say I am dismayed the two sides in this dispute cannot reach an agreement and start concentrating on its future."

Stan Herschel, northern officer at the RMT, described the situation between the union and Arriva as a "total stand-off", and he added: "We are always available to talk, but there has to be a serious willingness to do that from Arriva. It's about time politicians came clean on which side they are backing here, and until he does that, perhaps Coun Lyons should shut-up."

Arriva Trains Northern managing director Ray Price said he was disappointed at the continued strike action, but said the firm "could not afford" to back down.