GREATER Anglia is planning to run a full service if two 24-hour strike days go ahead next week, the rail provider says.

The RMT union strikes are planned for Tuesday, October 3, and Thursday, October 5, over disputes on passenger safety concerning train guards for the duration of Greater Anglia's franchise until 2025.

Services will continue as normal should strike action go ahead and passengers are guaranteed the same standard of service.

Richard Dean, Greater Anglia train service delivery director, said: “We're open for talks with the RMT in the hope we can avert the strike.

“However, we know our customers don’t want to see their services cancelled, so we have spent several months training back office staff so they can fill in for conductors.

“The majority of our services aren't affected by the proposed strike anyway, but we're now prepared for the 40 per cent of services that have conductors."

He added: “Our back office staff have gone through a rigorous training process and have to pass competence, medical and safety tests before they can stand in for conductors.

“We will also have extra managers at stations to help customers with any enquiries.”

READ MORE: THE REASON BEHIND STRIKE ACTION

However, the RMT has criticised GA's efforts as a "desperate attempt" to continue business as usual.

General secretary Mick Cash said: “This includes providing a rushed and compressed training to non-safety critical staff in a desperate attempt to carry on running business as usual.

"We believe these contingency plans include provision for persons utilised as guards. This is effectively a scab army of poorly trained managers, with corners cut and safety compromised."