LANCASTER rail passengers look set to face another day of disruption as the rail union plans more one-day strikes.

Next Monday, April 22, has been pencilled in for the next one-day stoppage in the continuing dispute over the company's disciplinary procedures.

Previous strikes have seen 1,500 services cancelled every day, and Lancaster travellers complained of a lack of information and replacement bus services.

Members of the ASLEF union complain that that the company has misused its disciplinary procedures in dealing with drivers who drove through red lights.

In a statement, the company's managing director, Dave Kaye, said: "This dispute is about your right to a safe railway system on which to travel.

"We at First North Western are not prepared to compromise that right and want to ensure that all of our staff do their jobs in the safest possible way.

We cannot continue to employ a driver who has blatantly disregarded the company's, and the industry's, safety rules consistently and without the necessary regard for his passengers and his colleagues."

Meanwhile, Lancaster commuters are being urged to bombard the Government with calls for more investment in Britain's railways.

From this week, rail users will be able to send text messages from their mobile phone to 07764 125 125 or messages via www.stoptrainrobbery.com.

The messages will be converted into emails and addressed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown.

Members of North Lancashire Friends of the Earth were handing out leaflets promoting the campaign at Lancaster railway station on Monday morning.

Co-ordinator, Anne Chapman, said: "We think that rail can be an affordable, safe and pleasant way to travel - if the Government and rail industry bosses can only be persuaded to spend the money the system needs and run it in the interests of the passengers.

"Locally, we'd like to see fewer delays and more seats on the commuter trains to and from Preston and Manchester, which are often overcrowded by the time they reach their destination."