30 July 2023 , 21:00
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An aide to the Transport Secretary Mark Harper voiced his concerns about the impact of ticket office closures - a day after they were announced.
The Tory MP Simon Jupp contacted South Western Railway to register his "deep concerns" over the rail company's proposals in Devon earlier this month.
In a letter to the company's chief executive Mr Jupp, the Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to Mr Harper, said plans for Honiton and Feniton "would result in a significant impact on staffing hours at both stations".
He said plans "desperately need a re-think" and urged residents to take part in a Government-backed consultation to close ticket counters at 974 railway stations.
Mr Jupp added: "The changes being proposed for ticket offices at train stations are designed to bring staff out from behind the ticket office to help passengers on the platform and waiting areas. They should not be used as an excuse to cut staffing hours and resources."
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In its own consultation document on ticket office closures South Western Railway has designated Honiton a "category 3" station. This means it will have ticket vending machines and one staff member available to help support customers. During unstaffed hours if a customer is "struggling" to use machines, the company says they can use the station's video call facilities.
Last week The Mirror reported that Jeremy Hunt, the Chancellor, had also raised concerns about South Western Railway's proposals, the day before closures were officially unveiled by train bosses. A source close to Mr Hunt said he was "just doing his job as a local MP" by conveying his constituents' concerns to the rail companies and supported "wider modernisation of the rail network".
It comes as The Mirror backs efforts to stop the mass closures of station ticket offices after the Transport Secretary urged operators to cut costs.
Last week we also revealed how rail bosses were forced to delay plans by giving passengers an extra five weeks to have their say on the plans. A consultation lasting just 21 days was due to end last week but after facing legal action from mayors across England, it was extended until September 1.
Speaking last week the Paralympics legend Tanni Grey-Thompson also warned about disabled people being driven off the railways as a result of the changes. Train operators claim ticket offices are no longer needed as most passengers buy online or at station machines and staff will be moved to help on concourses. But Baroness Grey-Thompson said: “Selling it as it’s going to be amazing for disabled people is quite disingenuous."
Mr Jupp told The Mirror: “The rail industry’s proposals for ticket offices should be about bringing staff out from behind the ticket office glass and allowing them to help passengers more effectively in the station. That’s what train operators should be focused on delivering and my constituents have until 1 September to take part in the rail industry’s consultation.”
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