NINE unions and campaign organisations have united to fight rail ticket office cuts on LNER services from London King’s Cross to Edinburgh.

They warn that reductions in office opening hours will leave women and girls vulnerable to violence, affect passengers with disabilities, reduce security at stations and discourage passengers from using services.

The coalition, which includes rail unions RMT and TSSA, the Scottish and UK TUCs, the National Pensioners’ Convention, Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) and the End Violence Against Women Coalition, says that proposed cuts will see ticket offices at 13 major stations open later and shut earlier, in many cases leading to a significant reduction in opening hours.

They have written to independent watchdog Transport Focus and to the London Assembly’s London TravelWatch voicing opposition to the cuts.

In their letter they say: “Staffed ticket offices make the rail network more safe, secure and accessible for passengers”and point out that the cuts would worsen passenger safety, security and accessibility.

“We believe that certain groups, such as elderly passengers, disabled passengers, and women and girls may be particularly disadvantaged by the proposals,” the letter says.

“We are calling on Transport Focus and London TravelWatch to oppose all of the proposed cuts to ticket-office opening hours at LNER.”

The letter calls on LNER to provide “a comprehensive breakdown of the range of advice and services that would not be available for passengers” if the cuts go ahead.

LNER was invited to comment.