The recent announcement about the closure of ticket offices at a thousand railway stations around the country is just the latest iteration of the ongoing removal of face-to-face services that people truly value.

Rail operators and the Government are doing this with nothing but the merest scintilla of consideration to public opinion; let alone thinking about the likely knock-on effect on rail users – especially the most vulnerable. It is being carried out with a minimal 21-day consultation period and in advance of a full impact assessment.