TransPennine Express had hoped to remove the step at the main entrance and replace it with a wheelchair-friendly ramp as part of its £250,000 renovation scheme.

But NYCC said the ramp would cause a health and safety issue, and instead wheelchair users should travel to a side entrance via Station Road.

Selby Valuing People Partnership chairman Gavin Harding branded the council's attitude as "appalling".

"Its about people being able to gain the same access as everybody else. The side gate isn't accessible from the pavement as there are no dropped kerbs so wheelchair users will have to use the road to get to it.

"In NYCC's own disability equality duty document, it says we should remove barriers but it seems they're ignoring their own advice.

"Selby gets treated very poorly compared to other towns. In Harrogate and Northallerton, the stations have lovely access. It seems Selby is the poor relation in North Yorkshire," added Gavin, pictured (above) with Sam and Danny Harris.

Selby and District Rail Users' Group secretary Reg French said the group would prefer all travellers to have the same access rights, but in a long dispute, the side entrance would be a suitable alternative, even if it was a temporary solution.

He also pointed out the main entrance is locked when the ticket office isn't staffed, which would mean people would have to use the side entrance at certain times. He added he was hoping to arrange a meeting with John Grogan and interested parties to progress the matter.

An NYCC spokesman said: "Highways officers have stated the proposed access is unsafe because it encroaches onto the public highway and would require the footway to be raised, creating a tripping hazard between the footway and carriageway.

"TransPennine Express offered to erect a barrier to stop people stumbling onto the carriageway, but highways officers say this would narrow the footway and so restrict access to and from the station.

"Officers have suggested alternatives. The first is a disabled access should be created within the station foyer, rather than encroaching onto the highway. Secondly, they have suggested there's suitable alternative access to the west of the station, which could easily be adapted."