In the ballot that closed today, signallers voted by 210 (70 per cent) to 90 (30 per cent) for action. The turnout was 63 per cent.

The breakdown in industrial relations centres on failure to honour the spirit and intention of the signallers' 35-hour week agreement, abuse of rostering agreements and the carrying out of Cognisco testing in signal boxes, despite a commitment not to.

"Our members have very clearly shown the depth of feeling on the issues involved," RMT general secretary Bob Crow said today.

"We will now be consulting with local RMT reps on Friday, and the matter will go back in front of the RMT executive early next week.

"As ever, we remain available for talks, and Network Rail should now get around the table with us to resolve these issues," Bob Crow said.