STRIKES on South Western Railway (SWR) could be resolved if guards are allowed a few seconds more to ensure the safe despatch of trains, union leaders said today.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union said it had set out a framework for renewed talks in a bid to resolve a long-running row over the role of guards.

Union members at SWR were on the picket lines again today on the third of 27 strike days scheduled during December.

In a letter to the company, RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "I am writing to ask for your agreement to reopen talks around an operational framework that would allow for the action called for December to be suspended.

"Obviously, it would be in the interest of all concerned to try and reach a negotiated agreement and I have today written to Sir Brendan Barber (chairman of Acas) asking him to use his good offices to conciliate."

Mr Cash said SWR had raised the issue of "dwell times" — the length of time a train is stationary on platforms.

"It is our view that adding three or four seconds dwell time at each station to ensure the safest method of working and despatch is surely a small price to pay to guarantee safety and accessibility for all, which is the issue at the heart of the dispute.

"Safety must come first in all instances which, as you know, is our guiding principle.

"As the union has said repeatedly, there is clearly a deal there to be done which would cost your company nothing and which would give the safety and accessibility guarantees at the platform/train interface that we have been seeking.

"I would welcome your immediate confirmation of your agreement to attend these urgent discussions under the auspices of Acas."

An SWR spokesman said: "We want a guard on every train with a safety-critical role, but we want to enable guards to spend more time helping people in wheelchairs and with buggies get on and off the train, walking up and down all the carriages and ensuring the safety of passengers at times of need."