Vicky Ford has slammed the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers for calling a strike against Greater Anglia.

The Conservative MP for Chelmsford said: “I am very disappointed to learn that the RMT have decided to take strike action over a dispute with Greater Anglia. This is unwanted and unwarranted.

"I have discussed this with Greater Anglia who have assured me that all the train conductors have all been guaranteed their jobs until the end of the franchise in 2025.

"The drivers have decided to strike for the right for conductors to open and close doors even though, on most of the Chelmsford trains, conductors do not operate the doors. They are striking to protect a job which they do not even do.

"Punishing hard working commuters, who already suffer far too many delays, is not helpful"

Members of the RMT on Greater Anglia backed industrial action by a huge 9-1.

The RMT said Abellio, which runs Greater Anglia, had failed to provide the union with assurances over the role and responsibilities of guards.

The ballot result will now be considered by the RMT’s executive who will decide on the next steps in the dispute.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “Greater Anglia have been given every opportunity to give a guarantee on the future role of the guards on their services. They have failed to do so and that left us with no alternative but to move to a ballot in the interests of rail safety.

“Our members have now voted by massive majorities for action and it’s now down to the company to wake up and take note and to seize the opportunity to give us the very simple assurances on the future of the guards, and the guarantee of a second safety-critical member of staff on current services.”