We won! Plans to close rail ticket offices have been scrapped - allegedly because they failed to meet high passenger standards! We know those are our standards and this was recognised by Mick Lynch, General Secretary of the RMT trade union. He said the complete withdrawal of the closure plans was 'a victory for people power' - for the community groups and disability campaigners, including DPAC and DPACne, who had worked so hard together with the union to defeat the proposals.

Transport commentator, Christian Woolmar, described the defeat as a 'massive U turn - a totally incompetent shambles'. The BBC reported that rail bosses were furious as they had put the plans forward to meet government pressure to to cut costs and they had been approved by the Department of Transport.

Transport for All, the major transport campaigning group led by disabled people, has pointed out that the victory is in large measure due to the tenacity of disabled campaigners - 'We have won an incredible victory - but the disastrous and discriminatory proposals should never have been put forward in the first place. Our work does not stop now - major legislative reform is needed.'

The RMT is calling for an urgent summit with the government, the train operating companies, disabled people's groups and community and passenger organisations to agree a plan that guarantees the future of ticket offices and the staff's jobs and delivers an accessible, safe and secure service that puts passengers before profit.

Berwick Trades Council, led by its disabled and older members will be there - we know we cannot stop now but must fight on for an accessible rail network, where we can just turn up, get the right and cheapest ticket, and travel just as able bodied people can.

Sarah

Secretary

BTUC