Oldham MP writes to equalities watchdog over train ticket office closures

Greenfield train station and ticket office

Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams, who serves as a member of the Work and Pensions Select Committee, has written to the UK’s equalities watchdog - The Equality and Human Rights Commission - regarding the proposed closure of train ticket offices, including the one at Greenfield station.

Ms Abrahams’ letter to the EHRC Chief Executive Marcial Boo focuses on the failure of the Rail Delivery Group and the Government to have undertaken an equalities impact assessment prior to announcing these proposed closures.

She described this perceived failure “as exactly the sort of exclusionary policy-making that must be stopped.”

In the letter, Abrahams says that she is “extremely worried about the impact that these plans will have on both elderly and disabled constituents, and the tens and thousands across the country.”

Ms Abrahams has launched a ‘call for evidence’ in order to express the views of her constituents to the Rail Delivery Group and the Government. 

Ms Abrahams said: “After hearing about this disastrous decision, and the failure to provide an equalities impact assessment, I felt compelled to write to the Equality and Human Rights Commission given this potential breach in equality law, calling on them to pause the consultation until an equalities impact assessment has been provided.

"In a desperate and ill-thought-out move drive towards ‘efficiency,’ they have neglected the voices of the disabled people who need the ticket offices most. 

"I hope that it is not too late to stop this and ensure that the voice of disabled people is listened to in this process.

"That’s why I am launching a ‘call for evidence’ from my constituents to hear from them about the impact that these plans would have on them."

Ms Abrahams' Oldham East and Saddleworth constituents are asked to email her at: abrahamsd@parliament.uk or phone her office on 0161 623 3248 with their experiences of the difference a staffed ticket office makes to them and their ability to travel.

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