Train passengers in Wharfedale faced yet more disruption this week - a year into an industrial dispute over pay which is set to drag on well into 2003.

And Derrick Joanes, Secretary of the Wharfedale Rail Users Group, said he could see little hope on the horizon as Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) union affiliated employees with Arriva Trains Northern (ATN) began the latest in a series of 24-hour strikes on New Year's Eve.

The action brought what has been a turbulent year for commuters who use the Wharfedale Line to an unsatisfying end, and as the New Year gets under way there is still no end in sight.

Conductors and other support staff, unhappy at being offered a pay increase significantly less than that awarded to ATN's drivers, held their first action in January, 2002.

After further strikes and lengthy negotiations ATN announced in the summer that they had no more money with which to raise their offer - which caused the unions to "dig in" and start the ongoing series of actions.

A further offer of four per cent over one year, with the option to earn one per cent more dependent on modernisation, was made in December but rejected by the RMT.

Derrick Joanes, Secretary of the Wharfedale Rail Users Group, said: "It seems to be never ending," he said. "I don't think there's any sign at the moment of this strike finishing.

"It's just going on and on, very regrettably, and it has damaged local people's confidence in the rail network to some extent.

"I think there is an impasse and it could go on until the franchise is taken over, which won't be until the summer of 2004.

"But, fortunately, on the Wharfedale Line about half of the services have been running on strike days so at least commuters and other passengers have had some service."

ATN's managing director Ray Price said: "During each strike we have worked hard to ensure that we provide as many services as possible and it appears that the level of service we are able to deliver is allowing the vast majority of our customers to adapt their travel arrangements and continue to use our services to get to their destination.

"We very much regret the continuation of this dispute and are disappointed that the RMT is not prepared to engage in realistic discussions or seriously negotiate on modernisation issues in order to achieve a resolution.

"It remains increasingly difficult to understand what the RMT's agenda really is.

"Over the past 11 months we have made four different offers to the union - all of which have been rejected by the RMT without it allowing its members the opportunity to ballot.

"Once again we urge the RMT to recognise the futility of their strike action and the costly and damaging effect the disruption is having on the region and on our customers."

The union was unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.

The situation now looks likely to continue until the Strategic Rail Authority announces which company it has chosen to manage the new-look Northern rail franchise, which includes the Wharfedale line.

But that process has been delayed and if ATN turns out to be the winner the dispute could potentially rumble on for years.

ATN says that with 185 of its conductors (more than 25 per cent) refusing to take part in the recent strikes it has managed to operate a "robust" amended service of trains and buses across its network.

The next 24-hour stoppage by RMT guards has been pencilled in for February 1.

Temporary timetables for this and other strike days can be found by visiting www.arrivatrainsnorthern.co.uk or calling Nati-onal Rail Enquiries on 08457 484950.

l What do you think about the strike? How has it affected you and what do you feel about train services in general? Write to Editor Mel Vasey at either our Otley office at 9 Orchard Gate, or in Ilkley at 9 Wells Road.

Alternatively, people can email him on mel.v@ilkley.newsque-st.co.uk.