THE government’s “sham” consultation on plans to close almost 1,000 station ticket offices is facing a legal challenge for being discriminatory against disabled, old and vulnerable people.

Two disabled people are challenging the government and four rail operators, while rail union RMT and nine disability and pensioners’ groups have sent a joint letter opposing the closures to an independent public transport watchdog and statutory regulator.

The government gave just three weeks for consultations when the closures were announced, with a deadline of Thursday next week, July 26.

Redundancy notices were issued to staff before the consultation began, indicating that the decision to close has already been made.

Mounting the legal challenge are regular rail users Sarah Leadbetter, who is registered blind and Doug Paulley, a wheelchair user who has hearing loss.

The pair say the consultation is unlawful and discriminates against disabled people. 

They argue that allowing just 21 days to respond to “some of the biggest changes to railway operations for a generation is inadequate and breaches legal requirements for such consultations.” 

Mr Paulley said: “The presence of dependable rail staff is incredibly important for disabled people, including me, who use our often inaccessible railways.

“The cuts are a fait accompli being pushed through the motions of this sham consultation, with its disingenuous claims and failure to give disabled people the information we need to respond properly.

“It is appalling that such an important topic is being handled in this manner and the process must be stopped.” 

Ms Leadbetter said: “People like me, with visual impairments, rely on ticket offices and their staff to help us when we’re travelling and their closure will be a huge blow.

“To hold a consultation that fails to properly hear the views of those who need assistance the most is woefully inadequate.

“The government should scrap this unfair process and come up with one that gives rail passengers with disabilities an equal say.” 

The two are represented by law firm Leigh Day and call for the four publicly owned train operating companies and Transport Secretary Mark Harper to end the current consultation process “and reconsult in a manner which complies with his consultation and equality duties.”

In their letter to independent watchdog Transport Focus and regulator London Travelwatch opposing the closures, rail union RMT and the nine campaign groups said: “We believe that if these closures go ahead, it will be disastrous for passenger accessibility, safety, security and service, and therefore the proposals must be rejected.” 

They said 180 million passengers use ticket offices every year, many of them disabled, elderly and infirm.

“The presence of staff is vital for ensuring the railway is accessible to all,” the letter states. 

“At many stations ticket office staff are the only staff present, and their responsibilities often include assisting passengers on to trains, including with ramps where required and meeting them off the train. 

“Already, disabled people face numerous barriers in accessing the rail network and are three times less likely to travel by rail than non-disabled people.” 

Other signatories include End Violence Against Women, Disability Rights UK, Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC), the National Pensioners Convention and Transport for All.

In northern England, rail bosses have been accused by the RMT union of tearing down anti-closure posters and removing petitions signed by more than 100,000 people as nationwide protests against the closures continue at stations.

RMT said the incidents took place at stations run by train operator Northern.

General secretary Mick Lynch said: “These disgraceful actions by Northern bosses show just how worried they are that the consultation is not going their way.”