Train ticket office cull plan in chaos

Hopes rise as deadline to act may be delayed

- GRAHAM HISCOTT and JOHN STEVENS

DOWNING Street was last night urged to scrap proposals to shut most of our railway ticket offices after last-ditch crisis talks plunged the process into chaos.

The 21-day consultation into the plan is due to end at midnight tonight.

But the Mirror understands it could now be extended till September after a crunch meeting yesterday between the Department for Transport and train operators, giving hope to millions who rely on a personal service.

Ministers and rail firms have been spooked by legal challenges over closing nearly 1,000 ticket offices.

Critics claim three weeks for feedback was not only too short but unlawful, and that the plans discriminated against the disabled.