PLANS that would have meant the closure of ticket offices at four Warrington railway stations have been scrapped.
Rail union TSSA says it is delighted its campaign against the controversial plan has resulted in a government U-turn.
And Warrington South MP Andy Carter and Warrington Borough Council – who had both also opposed the move – also welcomed the change of heart.
If the plan had gone ahead, it would have meant the closure of ticket offices at Warrington Bank Quay, Warrington West, Birchwood and Glazebrook stations – along with around 1,000 others across the country.
TSSA – the union representing rail ticket office workers for over 125 years – has been at the forefront of a sustained campaign to ‘Save Ticket Offices’.
The union’s campaign has resulted in the widespread condemnation of the proposals by passengers and disability, women’s and pensioner groups, drawing 750,000 responses – the largest ever for a public consultation.
Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, has now told train companies to withdraw the plans after both Transport Focus and London TravelWatch formally objected to the proposals.
TSSA General Secretary, Maryam Eslamdoust, said: “Our union has fought tooth and nail for many months to stop what would have been a catastrophe for our railways.
“We are delighted that the government has admitted defeat and scrapped these wrongheaded plans. It shows the power of our union and of the great British public in making sure these planned closures have now reached the end of the line.
“Though the Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, has acted today frankly none of this need have happened. We have been saying from the outset that railway ticket offices and station staff are a vital and loved public service. They should never have been under attack in the first place.
“I pay tribute to every single one of our amazing members and the public beyond who worked so hard to make sure this was a battle we won. This is their victory and a victory for our railways.”
