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Talks between Network Rail and the trade unions aimed at resolving the ongoing rail dispute resumed for a third day today at conciliation service ACAS.

A legal challenge to the TSSA union has been issued by Network Rail in an attempt to limit disruption should talks with the unions fail.

Mark Carne, Network Rail chief executive, said: “This strike is deliberately timed to cause maximum disruption to families trying to enjoy the half-term break and millions more returning to work after the bank holiday. I find it deplorable that the RMT can hold the travelling public to ransom in this way.

Commenting on today's RMT ballot results, Mark Carne, Network Rail chief executive, said: "The railways are a vital public service and industrial action would have a massive impact on millions of passengers as well as freight distribution across Britain. It cannot be right that the unions can hold the country to ransom in this way.

A hard-hitting film released by Network Rail reminds young people of the need to always remain alert when near the railway.

Network Rail is now satisfied that West Coast Railways have addressed all of the actions set out in the suspension notice that took effect on Friday 3 April.

Hundreds of thousands of passengers and freight users are benefitting today after more than £50m of investment and improvement work was completed successfully across Britain’s railway over the May Day bank holiday weekend.

Many girls believe engineering is a job for boys, according to a survey of 12-17-year-olds published today by Network Rail. Engineering is second only to the construction industry in struggling to overcome the gender divide, the survey found.