The consultation over whether to close ticket offices at railway stations, including Spalding, has been extended.
And it’s led to one councillor calling for more people to let their views be heard.
Coun Gary Taylor was asked about East Midlands Train’s proposals to close ticket offices at South Holland District Council’s meeting last week.
The consultation was meant to conclude last week, but is instead now open until September 1.
Coun Taylor said: “There have been so many objections from MPs and user groups the consultation has been extended.
“You could say that’s progress and good news as they’re listening, but we need to keep the pressure on.
“There are many reasons to fight for this.
“There’s the rising population and service users often need advice from a ticket office.
“Many pay by cash. Some machines do take cash but they’re unreliable, don’t always tell you the cheapest and best routes and sometimes break down.
“We try to encourage people to use the railways and they should be open to all.”
Under the new plan, staff currently working in ticket offices would relocate to public areas to be closer to customers and to ‘better provide a service’ East Midlands Trains says.
Rising numbers of passengers buy tickets online and more than 80 per cent of those bought at stations are from vending machines.
“The hours that colleagues are present may differ from today, but train companies will make sure appropriate staffing levels are provided to cover the busiest hours of peak demand,” says the company.
Tulip Talk by Jan Whitbourn.
Spalding Railway Station and its ticket office needs your help.
We are asking you to help us reach a target of 100,000 votes by September 1.
We need you to sign the petition on the link, time is running out, please will you take the time to do this as soon as possible and spread the word?
The petition is ‘Required train operators keep ticket offices and platform staff at train stations’ https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/636542.
Please support this initiative. It will be great to have thousands of people who feel the same, we need you to help us reach that goal.
Over the last few years we have been improving the gardens at the station, many people have brought trees, shrubs and plants.
Businesses have also provided plants which has helped to improve the area.
Councillors have come together to buy furniture for the community to sit on while waiting for the taxis at the front of the station and artists have painted murals on platform two, all done to brighten up areas around the station.
Sir John Hayes, who is supporting this initiative, said: “I’m working with Conservative councillors Jan Whitbourn and Gary Taylor in Spalding, in efforts to make sure that Spalding’s ticket office remains manned.
“Less advantaged travellers, disabled people and the elderly deserve the reassurance that there will be railway staff at the station to help them with their baggage and information, when catching trains.
“All travellers benefit from advice which ticketing machines simply can’t provide and I know that they get that help, at present, due to the diligence of dedicated staff.
“Please support our campaign by signing the petition”.
Coun Taylor said: ‘We need to make the most of this consultation and object to the closure of the ticket office at the station. The staff in the office are an enormous help to passengers with their knowledge and Information to travelling passengers.
“Elderly, disabled and the blind would be disadvantaged if this closure takes place.
“We need to stand together in great numbers and fight to save this important service, as public transport, including the railways, should be as assessable to all.”
As a Station Adopter team member I feel, as part of the team, passionate about our station and don’t want to lose more facilities.
I am enjoying helping the team and seeing the achievements we have made lately.
We have been fighting against the pigeons for several years, slowly we are winning that battle.
The workforce in the ticket office look for great offers for you.
Tracey, who is in the office, tidies the areas where needed, picks up rubbish, reports any problems occurring and will help wherever she can.
We are pleased to be Station Adoptors team in Spalding, but will this enthusiasm continue in a ‘ghost station’, which is what it will be if we lose our dedicated ticket office.
If you have any trees/shrubs to give to our station, please do not hesitate to contact [email protected] or call 07779 895388.
