NETWORK Rail is appealing to former signalling staff, including retirees, to return to the industry to help keep Britain’s trains running.

The publicly owned rail infrastructure company says that train services are vital to ensure that key workers such as doctors and nurses can get to work and to transport food, medicines and equipment.

Many signallers’ jobs have been abolished due to technological innovation. 

But such workers are still needed to run the system from high-tech signalling centres and some traditional signal boxes remain in use.

Chris Gee, head of operations in Network Rail’s eastern region, said: “We are working hard to keep vital services, which get key workers to their jobs and food and medical supplies across the country, moving.

“Signallers are crucial to keep the railway open and we need more former workers to help us provide backup if some of our staff can’t come to work. Full retraining will be given.”