Andy Burnham considering legal challenge on ticket office closure plans

Video report by political correspondent Lise McNally

The Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham says he's considering a legal challenge to halt a consultation to close the majority of train ticket offices.

Most railway ticket offices in England face being shut down under a new set of consultations aimed at reshaping how stations are run.

Train operators across the country are asking passengers to have their say on the plans, unveiled by industry body the Rail Delivery Group (RDG).

Unions and disability groups have expressed concerns over a lack of access to traditional ticket offices. Credit: PA Images

Mr Burnham said: "I'm hugely concerned that the voices of disabled people are being excluded. The consultation is not in easily accessible formats.

"Are rail companies saying the 12 per cent of people that use ticket offices don't matter?

"I am considering legal action, this can't just be rammed through.

"The really must put a proper consultation in place. We are going to fight back in Greater Manchester against that."

Ticket offices to be closed at hundreds of stations

Around three out of five stations have a ticket office.

The vast majority are owned and run by train operators, which are under pressure from the government to save money amid the drop in revenue caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

There are concerns that the move could lead to job losses, and put some vulnerable passengers such as those who are disabled or elderly off train travel.

The public consultation on the proposed closures ends on Wednesday, 26 July.

Kevin Greenan, who is visually impaired said: "The train network is absolutely vital for me.

"A lot of people cannot access touch screens and the ticket machines are the majority of these stations are touch screen, how do I buy a ticket?"

Campaigners are also warning about safety concerns.

Katie Pennick from Transport for All said: "Ticket offices are not just about buying tickets, they are the first point of contact for disabled people arriving at a station.

"It's incomprehensible why government and train operating companies would want to do this, at a time when disabled people are facing so many barriers in all aspects of life.

The Rail Delivery Group says that times have changed significantly over the past few decades, with just 12% of tickets sold at offices today, compared to 82% in the mid-90s.

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