RAIL staff are set to go on strike this week after the RMT union said talks with First Great Western had broken down without agreement.

The union said that today discussions aimed to settle the issues of jobs and safety regarding the introduction of new Hitachi inter-city trains had not made any progress.

A 48-hour strike action across the company is now due to start at 6.30pm on Wednesday.

There will also be a rally in support of RMT’s members at 5pm at Paddington station on Wednesday July 8.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “RMT has made every effort to secure a series of very basic assurances from FGW over jobs, services and safety as a result of the introduction of the new Hitachi fleet and they have shown no intention of addressing those issues in the talks today."

First Great Western confirmed it expects to run the majority of London Thames Valley services but long distance and local rail services will be significantly reduced, should the planned strike action by RMT members go ahead next week.

Further details including timings are being developed and will be released as soon as confirmed.

Managing Director Mark Hopwood said: "All of the issues raised by the RMT have been discussed with representatives and we believe we have made some progress. We are continuing to meet and I very much hope that the RMT will not go ahead with the strike.”