Plans to extend the controversial plans to close rail ticket offices have been slammed by Greater Manchester’s Mayor Andy Burnham
Following a countrywide outcry over the proposals by the Rail Delivery Group and the Train operators, Northern Mayors came together to threaten legal action
Today it has been announced that the consultation period be extended by three weeks
However Burnham said
“This is finally some recognition that the three-week consultation period is a completely flawed process. You cannot take away thousands of ticket offices from our communities having only carried out a three-week consultation for 21 days.
“But this extension is not enough. The law is clear: a 12-week consultation is required on any proposal to close part of a station. The rail industry are simply extending a flawed process and for that reason, what has been announced will not stop our legal action.
“They have not followed the process set out in law in the Railway Act 2005 to deliver these changes which would have a huge impact on passengers, disproportionately impacting the disabled and most vulnerable. Mayors across England, including myself, will continue to pursue legal action if they do not completely stop this flawed consultation and begin again.
“And this is just the start of the fight. I am completely opposed to the plans to close almost every ticket office. This will isolate passengers and drive people away from rail at a time where in the North, confidence in services couldn’t be lower. I will be fighting against these changes all the way.”
