Removing guards and cutting rail staff will put lives at risk, minister is warned

Campaigners have warned transport secretary Mark Harper that “discriminatory” plans to remove guards from trains, cut staff and close ticket offices will prevent many disabled passengers travelling on the rail network and put lives at risk. Reports have suggested that the government’s rail reforms are likely to see about four-fifths of ticket offices closing, while campaigners led by The Association of British Commuters (ABC) have called on the Equality and Human Rights Commission to take “urgent action” on railway staffing.