Train ticket offices to stay open as closure plans scrapped

The town's ticket office was one of almost 1,000 across England which could have closed under proposals the Government had been consulting on since July.

A campaign, involving Weaver Vale MP Mike Amesbury, members of the public, councillors, trade unions and charity Disability Positive, was launched to save the ticket offices, with almost 650 signing a petition against the closures.

But now, Transport Secretary Mark Harper has asked the train operating companies to withdraw the proposals, which had been put forward by industry body the Rail Delivery Group (RDG).

A delighted Mr Amesbury said: "We did it! The Government has backtracked on plans to close almost 1,000 railway ticket offices across England, including Northwich and Runcorn, thanks to the strength of our campaign.

"A big thank you to all 643 people who signed my petition against the proposed closures sent to watchdog Transport Focus, who collated a staggering 750,000 consultation responses.

"There’s no doubt the campaign against ticket office closures did the trick. We made a difference and should be proud of ourselves.

"There was no thought for the elderly, disabled and vulnerable passengers who rely on traditional customer service at Northwich Station, which already has accessibility issues.

"Having that physical presence provides safety and reassurance for the travelling public as well as advice and help."

Cllr Andrew Cooper, who represents the Leftwich ward at Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “The government’s decision to scrap these short-sighted proposals is a huge victory for the people who rely on ticket offices to access the rail services.

“Closing the ticket office at Northwich Station before it was even rebuilt was always an assault on people with disabilities and on the job security of station staff.

“I’d like to thank all the residents of Northwich who spoke out against these proposals and made their voices heard. 

"I understand that more than 99 per cent of the 750,000 responses nationally were against the closures, and it goes to show what people can do when they stand together against a clear injustice.

“I hope now we can focus on getting Northwich Station the investment it needs in accessibility and in improved services to Manchester, Chester and beyond.”

Lynne Turnbull, the chief executive officer at Northwich-based Disability Positive, said: “I am delighted by the news that the closure of ticket offices has been scrapped

"The proposed closure of ticket offices only served as another societal barrier to prevent people with lived experience of disability from using public transport.

"The change in decision will ensure that disabled people can still have the support they need to travel independently and spontaneous (where the station is accessible in the first place, of course).

"This also illustrates the importance of not making policy decisions which affect disabled people, without disabled people’s involvement: nothing about us, without us."

In a statement, Mr Harper said: “The consultation on ticket offices has now ended, with the Government making clear to the rail industry throughout the process that any resulting proposals must meet a high threshold of serving passengers.

“We have engaged with accessibility groups throughout this process and listened carefully to passengers as well as my colleagues in Parliament.

"The proposals that have resulted from this process do not meet the high thresholds set by ministers, and so the Government has asked train operators to withdraw their proposals."

The RDG said moving ticket office staff on to station platforms and concourses would have 'modernised customer service'.

These plans followed pressure from the Government to cut costs amid the drop in revenue caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

A train operator source told the PA news agency: “There is quiet fury in the rail industry about where we’ve got to.

“The plan was signed off by civil servants and ministers. They’ve U-turned.”