Andrew Gwynne, MP for Denton and Reddish, has urged the government to review their proposal to close ticket offices across the country.
Last week, the Government backed plans to close the majority of the remaining 1,007 rail ticket offices in the United Kingdom. Closures would include offices at Reddish North, Heaton Chapel, and Guide Bridge in Gwynne’s current constituency of Denton and Reddish, as well as and Gorton, Levenshulme and Burnage train stations, which Gwynne would serve as Labour’s candidate for the new Gorton and Denton constituency at the next General Election.
In a submission to the Rail Delivery Group’s consultation ahead of the closures, Gwynne called the proposals ‘ill-thought-out and rushed’ and urged the Government to reconsider its position.
Ticket offices provide customers with face-to-face sales, to those who are a part of vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, those who do not have access to technology, and those who are disabled, that may require more assistance whilst using train services.
Gwynne argues that if these ticket offices were closed, it would remove the vital in-person contact required to provide effective services to those who intend to use the railway.
Commenting, Andrew Gwynne stated:
‘‘This is a disgraceful decision that will hit the most vulnerable in our society.
”Ticket offices do not just provide tickets, but also the necessary face-to-face communication needed to travel on train services safely and smoothly. Not only will this decision cost jobs, it will make our railways less accessible and passenger-friendly.’
‘Ticket offices are are a vital asset to our community, and I’ll fight tooth and nail to keep them open.”
- Gwynne’s full letter to the Rail Delivery Group can be read here.
- Those wishing to take part in the RDG’s consultation can do so by clicking here.
