Rail services in Wharfedale could be disrupted until December in the wake of the breakdown of pay talks with conductors.

Passengers were taking alternative transportation to work today - the first strike day by members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union.

They had entered into talks with Arriva Train Northern chiefs last week to try and avoid planned strike action for today and tomorrow, but talks collapsed after only five minutes 45 seconds.

Now the northern branch of the union has unveiled a strike plan for monthly 48-hour strikes, which would disrupt Arriva Train Northern services until December.

Conductors are to carry out a series of strikes following a decision by Arriva Train Northern chiefs to give drivers a substantially higher pay increase than the conductors.

They are seeking an 18 per cent pay rise, to raise their pay from 15,500 to £19,000, which is still £10,000 less than what Arriva awarded the train drivers before Christmas.

Secretary of the Wharfedale Rail Users Group (WRUG), Derrick Joanes said: "Obviously any strikes are going to be very inconvenient to rail users and indeed to non-rail users because of the extra traffic congestion which will be caused. We do hope that the differences will be settled as soon as possible.

"Commuters will have to make alternative arrangements for the strike days, in terms of using buses or cars, but this will cause a big impact on the amount of traffic."

RMT Northern spokesman Stan Herschel said: "The proposed extra strikes are in the hands of the company council supported by myself. We have given the series of dates to the RMT executive committee for approval. We will be hearing from them in due course.

"I do not think they will make a decision on the extra strikes until either Arriva come to their senses and contact us or following the first strikes."

Originally strikes were only planned for January and February 5 and 6, but now services from Ilkley and Otley to Leeds and Bradford will be affected for longer.

Potential dates for future 48-hour strike action could take place on March 1 and 2, March 29 and 30, April 26 and 27, May 24 and 25, June 21and 22, July 19 and 20, August 16 and 17, September 13 and 14, October 11 and 12, November 8 and 9 and December 6 and 7.

Though these have yet to be confirmed by the RMT executive committee.

These are the first rail strikes which Wharfedale will have seen for more than 30 years.

The strike by the conductors could disrupt services through-out northern England.

A spokesman for Arriva Trains Northern said: "Arriva Trains Northern (ATN) is very disappointed and concerned at the outcome of the meeting with the RMT.

"Currently, ATN conductors earn on average around £20,000 pa - including commission on the sale of tickets, overtime, rest day working and paid Sunday working - for an average 42 hour week. Their current remuneration compares very well with that paid by other train operating companies.

"ATN has made a very fair offer, which would have raised the basic pay of conductors to £16,763 from £15,500 - taking comparable earnings to around £21,500 pa. In response the RMT has rejected any productivity measures and demanded a basic salary of £19,000 - comparable earnings would be almost £24,000 pa.

"The company will now have discussions with the Strategic Rail Authority and the Passenger Transport Executives to agree the services that can be provided if the RMT strike.

"ATN is available at any time for further discussions with the RMT. The company hopes that the RMT will reconsider and accept the offer. It will be intolerable if ATN's customers have to suffer from industrial action taken in pursuit of a totally unreasonable demand."