Winchester reacts as plan to close station ticket office scrapped

The government have confirmed today (Tuesday, October 31), that plans to close railway ticket offices in England have been scrapped.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said that the U-turn came about as the proposals “did not meet the high thresholds” of serving rail passengers.

As previously reported in July, industry body the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) revealed proposals which could have led to nearly all offices being shut in an effort to cut costs, with facilities only staying open at the busiest stations.

READ MORE: Winchester reacts as SWR reveals plans to close train station ticket office

The news of the plans being scrapped has been welcomed by travellers at Winchester Railway Station.

Michael Constable, who travelled to the station by train from Swanage, said: “I think it’s a good idea they are keeping them open, it means people will keep their jobs and customers will get better service.”

Michael Constable called scrapping the plans 'a good idea' (Image: Matt Rooks-Taylor)Noeleen Mason agreed, saying that keeping the ticket offices open is “a good idea”.

She continued: “I travel a lot with my grandchildren, and it makes you feel safe to know they are there.

Noeleen Mason said: It’s a nice feeling of security to have an actual person to buy tickets from rather than a machine (Image: Matt Rooks-Taylor)“It’s a nice feeling of security to have an actual person to buy tickets from rather than a machine.”

Alexander Rishy said: “I think it’s good. People are keeping their jobs and it’s better for disabled people like me to be able to buy tickets from a person.

Alexander Rishy celebrated the scrapping of the plans to cut ticket offices (Image: Matt Rooks-Taylor)“It’s a lot quicker sometimes too.”

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Dorothy Kirkham and Christine Roberts, who travelled to Winchester from Bracknell with a group of friends, said that they were also happy the ticket offices are staying.

Dorothy Kirkham and Christine Roberts, pictured here with their friends, said they were happy the ticket offices are staying (Image: Matt Rooks-Taylor)Dorothy said: “I’m absolutely delighted they’re keeping them, it’s so much easier to speak to a real person than mess around with all those buttons.”

Steve Brine, Conservative MP for Winchester and Chandler’s Ford, told the Chronicle: “I canvassed local opinion widely on this and the message, which was felt back diligently to ministers, was clear so I know many will be pleased with this decision.

“The basic facts remain of course; ticket offices mean a great deal to those who use them but that is a relatively small number of people and it’s actually a falling number. What we need to watch now is where else the train companies seek to make savings which I doubt will prove any more popular.”

Meon Valley MP Flick Drummond said she is “thrilled” with the decision.

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She said: “Reform of the railways is needed but these proposals ran the risk of excluding passengers who would struggle with online tickets or ticket machines.

“For the foreseeable future, we need humans in ticket offices at stations. One day that may change but that day has not yet come.”

Danny Chambers, the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Winchester, called the proposals “a total sham”.

Lib Dem candidate for Winchester Danny Chambers started a petition to save the ticket offices in Winchester, getting 600 signitures (Image: Danny Chambers)He said: “The level of concern locally has been clear. More than 600 people have signed my petition calling for these plans to be halted. I have also met with local disability groups including Winchester Go LD, Hampshire Community Rail Partnership, and Open Sight Hampshire who made it clear the plans were not thought through for people with accessibility needs.

“The proposals created a high level of anxiety with people needing help at the stations.”