SOUTHERN Railway workers will stage a fresh strike in the long-running dispute over the role of guards, the RMT union has announced.

Members will walk out for 24 hours on March 12 over plans fordriver-only operated (DOO) trains.

The dispute is also over the guarantee of a second safety-critical member of staff on Southern services.

A spokesman for its parent company, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), said it expected to run a normal service on most routes.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said the union was “bitterly disappointed that Southern and the Department for Transport continue to reject our call for round table discussions involving all parties with an interest in resolving this dispute.”

He paid tribute to Southern guards and drivers for continuing to take action “for safety in Britain’s longest-running industrial dispute”.

“The union remains ready and waiting for genuine and meaningful talks with all parties,” he said.

The GTR spokesman added: “We renew our call for the union to end this pointless dispute.”