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TAXPAYERS will have to fork out £3 million a week for new trains which cannot be used, rail union RMT warned yesterday.
Technical problems — including running power lines under bridges and tunnels — have thrown the electrification of Great Western’s intercity network into chaos.
New trains ordered from Japanese manufacturer Hitachi will arrive soon — and will be unusable until the project’s problems are resolved. Engines may even have to be converted to run on diesel — another cost to the taxpayer.
The privateer is continuing with plans to axe train guards and catering services to boost profits.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “It is now clear that there is no shortage of money to waste on keeping trains idle, so there is no excuse for not investing in jobs, safety and services.
“RMT intends to take this issue directly to the government now with a demand that they end this shambles and protect both staff and the travelling public from wholly unnecessary cuts.”
