Romsey reacts as plan to close station ticket office dropped

The proposal had sparked a nationwide tide of anger over the impact on the elderly and disabled.

The government confirmed on 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.

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

READ MORE: 'I'm absolutely delighted': plan to close railway station ticket office scrapped

Eamonn Francis said: “I think they should keep them. Not everyone has the internet to buy tickets. The older generation needs it.”

Eamonn Francis (Image: Chris Atkinson)Skye Gibson said that she thinks the ticket offices staying is “a good thing”. She said: “I don’t think everything should have to be done by computers.”

Skye Gibson (Image: Chris Atkinson)Friends Barbara Vickerman and Elizabeth Fisher said: “We are very pleased they are staying. It is good for people who are getting older and for disabled people, and it's great for tourists and people who need help and advice.”

Elizabeth Fisher (left) and Barbara Vickerman (Image: Chris Atkinson)Janice Griffiths called the u-turn “very nice.”

She added: “I think some people cannot cope with the machines and it's nice to have people who can advise you on your route.”

Janice Griffiths (Image: Chris Atkinson)David Horton added: “I think it is really nice for customers. I mostly use the machines, but I know people who use the ticket offices and they like them.”

David Horton (Image: Chris Atkinson)Chelsea Brown said that she felt keeping the ticket offices was “a waste of staff”.

She said: “I never use them, I have my tickets on my phone. I think they are helpful for older people.”

Chelsea Brown (Image: Chris Atkinson)Liberal Democrat Test Valley Borough Councillor Geoff Cooper helped set up a petition in an attempt to save the ticket offices at both the Romsey and Swaythling stations.

He said: “I welcome this particular flip-flop from the government. Local Lib Dems campaigned to keep the ticket offices open because we understood that their closure would primarily disadvantage our community's more vulnerable residents.

SEE ALSO: Sixth annual fundraising beer festival raises £5,000 for good causes

“During our campaign to save the ticket offices, I spoke to many people who truly value the service provided by the ticket office staff. They really appreciate the help and expertise of the staff, who do more than just sell tickets. The staff are there to help and assist whoever needs it.

“This was purely a cost-cutting exercise with no regard for passenger's needs. Whilst many people book tickets online there is still a huge section of society which relies very much on face-to-face contact.

As our society becomes more technical and automated, we must take care to ensure that we remain inclusive and do not disadvantage anyone by removing the human factors in our lives.”