Save our ticket offices

The government are backing plans to close hundreds of rail ticket offices across England, including Whitehaven and Workington here in West Cumbria.

1 in 9 passengers still purchase tickets from a ticket office and they’re particularly important in providing support for elderly and disabled passengers whilst also being on hand to advise all passengers on a range of ticketing issues and ensuring safety and accessibility at stations.

I visited Whitehaven and Workington stations to meet ticket office staff there who are worried that these proposed closures will lead to job losses.

I also wrote to the Secretary of State and the Managing Director of Northern to express my grave concerns. And I launched a petition which was signed by over 500 passengers in Whitehaven and Workington, which demonstrates the strength of feeling about this locally.

I oppose this latest step in the managed decline of our railways and I will fight tooth and nail to save our ticket offices from closure, protect local jobs and ensure that rail passengers in West Cumbria can still access this important service.