Leicestershire transport lead welcomes ticket office announcement

The proposals could have affected Hinckley and Loughborough stations.

Councillor Ozzy O'Shea has welcomed the government announcement that it has asked train operators to withdraw proposals to close ticket offices at railway stations.

The proposals could have affected Hinckley, Loughborough, Narborough and Market Harborough stations.

Watchdog Transport Focus, along with London Travelwatch, said they received 750,000 responses from individuals and organisations in a public consultation.

Councillor Ozzy O'Shea, cabinet member for transport, said: "I welcome today’s announcement by the Government. It was clear when I’ve been out and about in the county that these proposals were very unpopular.

“It had the potential to make train travel more difficult for some people and reduce their travel options, particularly users of the railway who are elderly and disabled. Train travel must be reasonable, accessible, and made as simple as possible.”

In July a petition was started to try and save Hinckley station ticket office.

Hinckley Lib Dem Councillor Michael Mullaney, said: “It’s great news so many people wanted to see a staffed ticket office kept at the town’s rail station.

“Not everyone is able to use ticket machines or to book online. It’s good news for people who want to be able to talk to someone in person when buying tickets. Particularly elderly residents and people with disabilities many of whom were angry at the plans to close the ticket offices.

“Railway tickets can often vary massively in price depending on what route you take so having someone in the ticket office like Michael who has worked at Hinckley’s for decades is a real help to people during this cost of living crisis who are looking for the cheapest deal on train tickets.

“Thanks to everyone who signed petitions and wrote in to object to plans to close the ticket office”