RAIL unions are set to meet beleaguered Southern Rail bosses to try and resolve the long-running dispute over driver-only trains.

Talks will be held with rail unions Aslef today and RMT on Monday August 7, they announced yesterday.

Both unions have held discussions with Transport Secretary Chris Grayling as they try and bring an end to the 16-month dispute over the removal of safety-critical guards from trains.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said that he believes passengers want a “fresh start” and a new approach which would put safety and access first.

He said: “We have laid that formula out to Chris Grayling, and we will be entering talks next week with a positive set of proposals that we believe can bring 16 months of strikes to an end.”