RAIL unions have raised fresh safety concerns over the planned closure of ticket offices, ahead of a central London protest and the end of a consultation on the widely opposed proposals.

All three main rail unions are stepping up campaigning against the plans amid a huge response to the consultation, with more than 460,000 people taking part.

The RMT, which has called the demonstration opposite Downing Street tomorrow evening, said that the plans to close up to 1,000 ticket offices would threaten the jobs of 2,300 station staff.