RAIL union RMT celebrated victory yesterday after forcing the government to scrap plans to staff the railways with volunteers.

A leaked email from one of the volunteer programme’s providers admitted that, due to disagreement between unions and government, the project “has been shelved for now.”

Last week Transport Secretary Grant Shapps had promised “an army of ‘journey makers’ in purple tabards” would be deployed at major stations and transport hubs to perform vital crowd management and passenger safety roles and to enforce the wearing of face coverings.

However, the scheme has unravelled after RMT expressed frustration and dismay over use of barely trained and unpaid volunteers and the confusion over the function and roles of these volunteers. 

RMT assistant general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Finally it appears the government has seen sense and shelved this half-baked shambolic volunteer stunt. 

“The idea of unleashing thousands of volunteers onto the railway in their purple vests when safety, security, experience and team working are paramount was always barmy.”