Strike threat pays off

The threat of strikes by rail union ASLEF over a failing communications system has secured important safety improvements.

Thousands of train drivers prepared for action last month over the Interim Voice Radio System (IVRS) communications system, which allows them to alert other drivers and signal operators about accidents or other track problems. The system had frequently failed, but train companies had told drivers to "work normally" through the failures.

The companies have now withdrawn the instruction and agreed to a 40 miles an hour speed limit in areas with suspected IVRS problems.