Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
Didn't SWT many moons ago promise to retain guards in perpetuity? I know it was different owners and probably people who have long since moved on, but that's certainly going to cause problems now.
I don't think SWR are planning to destaff, but I suspect they are considering driver door operation on the suburbans so the "guards" (even if they remain safety trained) can get out of the cab and check tickets. Which I imagine most of the present non-commercial guards don't like.
FWIW, I see no role for *non-commercial* guards on the railway at all. They should all become commercial guards, and door controls be modified (ideally driver release) to allow them to do that role and assist passengers in the passenger cabin, which is their real value.