The government announced plans last week to close thousands of ticket offices at stations across the country.  The train operating companies have now launched a rushed consultation exercise, giving passengers just 21 days to respond.

The plans will see the ticket offices in all but one of Dulwich & West Norwood’s train stations closed, leaving passengers unable to access help to purchase tickets.  One in eight tickets are still purchased from a ticket office, where staff are also a useful source of travel advice and assistance.  These plans have not been the subject of any equalities impact assessment, but they will have the greatest impacts on disabled passengers and older people.  Staff are worried about what this means for their job security.

I am working hard with your local Labour councillors to oppose these plans. I have written to both Southeastern Railway and Southern Rail to oppose to these plans and seek greater protection for vulnerable passengers and protection for jobs. You can see my letters to Southeastern Railway here and to Southern Rail here.

It is important that everyone affected by the closures responds to the consultation. You can find out more and respond here.

Please let your local Labour team know your views by completing our survey here.