Drivers were concerned about the communications system

The union said talks with Network Rail had reached a settlement in a dispute over safety levels.

Up to 5,000 train drivers had agreed to refuse to drive trains in areas covered by a controversial new communications system from Monday.

Aslef said it was satisfied with assurances given at the talks with Network Rail and industry officials.

'Run normally'

Aslef had said the Interim Voice Radio System (IVRS), introduced two years ago as a trial, had failed on a number of occasions.

I am convinced that [the threat of action] was necessary to protect not only our members but all the travelling public Keith Norman Aslef

The union said it had written to Network Rail to ask how drivers were to be informed of failures in the system, what action they should take, or what other systems would be used.

Network Rail - which operates the rail infrastructure - advised the union to talk to the companies individually, and to "run normally" if there was a system failure, according to Aslef.

The union rejected this as completely "irresponsible" before declaring action for Monday.

But on Friday afternoon, Aslef said assurances had been made by rail companies to withdraw the instruction to run normally if the system failed.

'Protecting public'

Acting general secretary Keith Norman said he regretted the concern the proposed action had caused.

"I am convinced that it was necessary to protect not only our members but all the travelling public," he said.

We are pleased that a resolution has been found and that disruption for rail passengers has been avoided Network Rail

Network Rail said an interim agreement allowing drivers to reduce their speed to 40mph in the "unlikely event" of a IVRS failure had been reached.

It says the system had been "extremely reliable" during a two-year trial period.

"We are pleased that a resolution has been found and that disruption for rail passengers has been avoided," a spokesman said.

Friday afternoon's talks at Aslef, in north London, involved Network Rail, the Association of Train Operating Companies and the Rail Safety and Standards Board.