A Ryedale sight support charity has condemned the proposed closure of railway ticket offices

Sight Support Ryedale has joined the RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People), Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and other sight loss organisations across the country in opposing the move

The Rail Delivery Group has unveiled proposals to close a number of railway ticket offices across the UK including Malton Railway Station.

Di Tymon, Chief Officer of Sight Support Ryedale, which provide activities and support to blind and visually impaired people in Ryedale, said. “Sight Support Ryedale strongly oppose this move as many of our clients have told us what a detrimental affect it will have on their ability to travel independently.”

“The Rail Delivery Group, by considering the closures, is taking steps against making rail travel accessible for all. Being able to travel independently is a task which all disabled people, whether blind or in a wheelchair, should be able to undertake as easily as possible. It is fundamentally good customer service to meet the needs of all train passengers.”

Ann Ruddick, Sight Support Ryedale Trustee and Guide Dog Owner said: "As a blind person, I maintain independence by travelling on the train with my Guide Dog but believe that if the ticket office at Malton closes, I will not have the support I need.

"Currently, my dog and I know exactly where to find assistance and buy tickets, but in future I will have to seek help from a fellow traveller to locate a member of staff. Ticket machines are not accessible, and it is inadvisable to ask a stranger to help me purchase tickets. It is clear that no consideration has been given to the needs of those of us with disabilities when planning the future of rail travel."

Maqsood Sheikh, Senior Regional Campaigns Officer Yorkshire and Number at the RNIB said “A mass closure of rail ticket offices would have a hugely detrimental impact on blind and partially sighted people’s ability to buy tickets, arrange assistance, and - critically - travel independently.

“We know that not being able to get out and about independently prevents people with sight loss from being able to make journeys to get to work, meet their friends, go to sporting events or generally make plans like everyone else. The level of planning and preparation required to travel is significantly greater for blind or partially sighted people, and over half find it difficult to plan an unfamiliar journey.

“RNIB research shows that only three per cent of people with sight loss said they could use a ticket vending machine without problems, 58 per cent said it was impossible. As well as accessibility problems with online ticket websites and apps, they immediately exclude the large number of blind and partially sighted people without internet or smartphones.

“The Government claims it wants to ‘bring staff out from behind the glass’ but in truth it risks leaving blind and partially sighted people behind a new barrier.”

Sight Support Ryedale clients have joined many others in signing the petition at Malton Station and it has now been sent to the Rail Delivery Group.

The consultation on the proposed ticket office closures was due to end today (Wednesday) but it will now continue until September 1, the Rail Delivery Group has said.

To give your views go to https://www.raildeliverygroup.com/uk-rail-industry/customer-focused-reform/customer-focused-stations.html