MORE than nine in 10 Network Rail workers believe that a major accident is likely to happen within the next two years because of spending cuts, a union report revealed today.

In a survey, 96 per cent of RMT members in the workforce said that plans to cut £1.2 billion from the state-owned rail infrastructure company’s budget between 2024 to 2029 would lower safety standards,  with 77 per cent fearing that it would do so “substantially.”

General secretary Mick Lynch said: “These shocking survey results show the real fears of our members on the front line, as the reality of funding cuts to rail becomes clear. 

“These cuts mean Network Rail will not renew a single mile of track for the next five to eight years and the permanent loss of specialist workforce and equipment currently delivering 70 per cent of Britain’s track renewals.

“[The company] must reverse these extremely damaging cuts and move to a genuine public ownership model which sees increased investment year on year and safety for rail workers and users as the number one priority.”