Govia Thameslink takes driver dispute to High Court

New 12-car trains are due to make up 50% of all Gatwick Express services by June

A rail company has started its latest legal challenge against a union in a dispute over its members' refusal to drive longer Gatwick Express trains.

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) has issued papers at the High Court over Aslef's ballot of Southern and Gatwick train drivers.

It believes the union has breached rules on balloting and secured an injunction last month.

Aslef opposes running the new longer 12-carriage trains without a guard.

'Protect passengers'

The result of the ballot is expected on Monday.

Aslef members are opposed to the expansion of driver-only operated services. The older rolling stock was made of 10-car trains.

A spokesman for GTR said: "We only launch legal action reluctantly, but it is our responsibility to do everything we can to seek to protect our passengers against further industrial action."

The rail firm previously said the new trains would offer "significant benefits to passengers, including a much better travelling environment".