PASSENGERS were today bracing themselves for four days of disruption after conductors voted to bring North Yorkshire's rail network to a standstill.

Train services will be severely disrupted on January 24 and 25, and February 5 and 6 in two 48-hour-strikes by guards and conductors at Arriva Trains Northern.

They voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action, yesterday, in a ballot organised by The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT).

More than 93 per cent of voters backed a proposal for disputes which would cripple Transpennine Express routes and Northern regional services.

A total of 429 conductors and guards voted in favour of strikes, with only 28 voting against. The turnout, 457 out of a total of 625, was 73.12 per cent.

The ballot was called by the RMT because staff are furious they have not been treated the same as drivers.

They received large pay and bonus deals while conductors have been offered only around four per cent.

Now it is passengers who are set to bear the brunt of further disruption to a service already hit by winter cuts and driver shortages.

RMT regional organiser, in York, Alan Heath said: "No-one wants industrial action but it has got to a stage where staff are demanding it now."

An Arriva conductor, who asked not to be named, added: "No-one wanted to be in this position but we have been pushed so far, we have no choice.

"The contempt we have been treated with is reflected in the ballot result."

A brief statement from Arriva said: "Arriva Trains Northern is disappointed with the outcome of the ballot organised by the RMT.

"The company will continue to be available for discussions with the trade union."

Peter Davis, Yorkshire chairman for rail pressure group, Railfuture, said: "I hope strike action will be averted. Passengers are coping with enough inconvenience. They are the ones who will suffer again. A strike would have an enormous effect."

Ernie Preston, of the Rail Passengers' Committee, who is based in York, added: "It is to be hoped that the parties involved can sort something out at the earliest opportunity and try and avoid action.

"There is a limit to what passengers will take. They have been very tolerant up till now, but without passengers, there is no passenger service."

Trains campaigner Andy Everingham said he felt passengers would support conductors.

"I think passengers will understand it given that drivers are earning more than twice as much as guards."

Updated: 08:43 Wednesday, January 09, 2002