Public consultation on proposals to close railway station ticket offices has been extended to the start of September. 

It had been open until July 26, but it has now been extended to September 1.

Danny Chambers, Lib Dem MP candidate for Winchester has launched a petition to 'save our ticket offices' which has so far received almost 500 signatures.

South Western Railway (SWR) confirmed that they plan to close all ticket offices in Hampshire and will instead introduce 'more face-to-face support' for railway passengers. 

Instead of a ticket office, there will be a team of staff in each station to help customers from journey planning to ticket purchasing.

These proposals will see the Winchester ticket office close but the station is set to be manned by staff for a longer time period under the new proposals. 

READ MORE: Winchester and Romsey station ticket offices are set to close

Winchester ticket office is open from 6am until 8.30pm on weekdays, under the new plans the station will be staffed from 5.30am until 11pm. 

At the weekend, the office is open from 6am until 7.30pm on Saturdays, and 7am until 8.30pm on Sundays. 

Mr Chambers said: "It's good news that government and the rail operators have listened to the concerns raised by the public and accessibility charities about ticket office closures. 

"While there are benefits to modernising retail reform, as has been demonstrated in banking, post offices, and supermarkets where staff come out from behind the glass, there has to be a proper and serious look at this before change can be considered.

SEE ALSO: Winchester reacts as SWR plans to shut station ticket office

"Crucially, there are unanswered questions around how a person with accessibility needs can call for assistance to use ticket machines, especially in quieter stations like Micheldever.

"I'm proud of Winchester Lib Dem's campaign which has raised this as an issue and forced the government to listen. But the extension to September 1 is too slap-dash. We all want to see a modern and inclusive railway, but it cannot be rushed."

Full details of SWR’s station change proposals can be found at southwesternrailway.com/stationchange.