RAIL passengers in Sussex could be hit by a train drivers' strike this spring.

Members of the Aslef union are angry that Thameslink has made drivers responsible for carrying out basic safety checks on trains before they leave stations between Three Bridges and Brighton. Until this week, the task was carried out at some stations by supervisors on the trains whose main jobs is ticket collecting and passenger care. But Thameslink now wants to bring those stations into line with the rest of the route between Bedford and Three Bridges. Paul Foot, Thameslink resources planning manager, said: "In the past we have had to cancel trains because we have not had a supervisor to carry out this task. "The drivers can do the check from their cab which means they are less likely to be held up at the stations. It is perfectly safe and allows supervisors to concentrate on their work. "This does not mean there will be fewer staff. In fact, we intend to recruit more supervisors on trains." But Aslef said drivers could suffer from neck and shoulder problems by having to lean out of their cabs to make sure people are not still trying to board trains. Now a strike ballot is to be held on April 14 with the result to be declared ten days later.

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