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

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

A 48-hour strike across the company is due to start at 6.30pm tomorrow.

There will also be a rally in support of RMT’s members at 5pm at Paddington station prior to the industrial action.

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 (Monday).”

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

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

First Great Western managing director Mark Hopwood said on Friday : “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.”

The strike is likely to cause more misery for those headed to London as it is due to coincide with a walkout by London Underground staff.

Union ASLEF confirmed yesterday the 24-hour strike would go ahead from 6.30pm tomorrow as “unions have not had enough time to study new pay offer”.

All four tube unions are involved in the walkout and could lead to the worst disruption to the transport network in London since 2002.