MOST businesses put the needs and comfort of consumers first - at least they should do if they want to prosper.

That doesn't apply of course to those who run our rail services if they travel to and from Blackburn.

What we are talking about is the absurd situation facing travellers at the town's railway station following the multi-million pound revamp of a few years ago.

Three platforms are now neatly under the modern domed roof with a heated waiting room, ticket office and even a lift for passengers who cannot manage to negotiate the ramps leading to them.

Fine - except that the majority of trains heading west towards Preston/Blackpool and south to Darwen, Bolton and Manchester use the isolated platform 4 where there is virtually no protection from the weather, no ticket office and no lift access.

It's done, we are told, for the operational convenience of the train operators. Protests by the Rail Passengers Council and Blackburn with Darwen Council seem to have been simply ignored.

Commuters face another winter in the cold although we are told that Northern Rail is considering putting a ticket machine on platform four - a clear indication that getting cash from customers is more important than looking after the dwindling number of them.