COMMUTERS in Lancaster faced travel misery this week as train drivers began the first of three 48-hour walk-outs as part of a long running dispute.

The drivers' union, Aslef, claim the management at First North Western has introduced unacceptable conditions as part of a pay deal, including drivers picking up litter at stations.

First North Western has accused Aslef of reneging on an agreed 19 per cent pay rise over three years.

The union had originally called off the action, but reversed their decision claiming the company had altered the terms of the agreement.

The action brought the Western mainline to a standstill and First North Western, the regional train operator, ran a small number of services and operated an extensive bus replacement service to try and reduce the effects on passengers.

First North Western's Managing Director, Vernon Barker said: "Our passengers, and those travelling on the region's additionally congested roads, have experienced the effect of this unnecessary strike action first hand."

An Aslef spokesman said: "First North Western has tried to sabotage an agreement on pay by attempting to impose new productivity measures on its workforce.

"We reached an agreement on pay two weeks ago which averted a series of planned strikes.

"Talks on productivity measures were on-going when the pay agreement was signed.

"Now however the company has cited some 25 productivity initiatives, including that drivers be made responsible for picking up litter at train stations.

This is unacceptable."