The deadline for public consultation on ticket office closures will close tomorrow (26 July)

Proposals would see a swathe of ticket offices closed across the country, including 58 in Greater Manchester and 14 in Stockport. Residents have until tomorrow (26 July) to comment on the plans - see the end of this article for more information on how to do so.

Residents and politicians alike have voiced their opposition to proposals. For one, five Labour party mayors - including Greater Manchester's Andy Burnham - have said they are preparing a legal challenge over the plans put forward by train operators.

It comes after Mr Burnham wrote an open letter to the government's transport secretary Mark Harper, expressing 'serious concern' over the proposals.

"Given the disproportionate levels of disruption and poor services that rail customers in the North continue to suffer, a highly visible and reassuring staff presence has never been more important", he said. 

"If implemented, these proposals would further damage the confidence of passengers in our railways at precisely the time when we are all seeking to attract more people to use public transport and rebuild vital revenue."

You can read Mr Burnham's open letter in full HERE.

Marple is one of a number of stations across Stockport which would close if proposals went ahead (Image - Alasdair Perry)

The GM Mayor also criticised the shortness of the public consultation period, saying: "Closing hundreds of ticket offices on the back of a slapdash consultation [...] is frankly appalling.

"Even worse, it's not even accessible to many of the people who will be most affected."

Members of Stockport Council have also voiced opposition to the plans. In a statement on the Stockport Lib Dems website, Cllr Grace Baynham, cabinet member with responsibilities including transport, urged local residents to respond to rail operators' consultations, saying: "We are dismayed by the proposal to close all ticket offices across Stockport. 

"Ticket offices are a vital resource – they are where our residents can speak to someone for guidance with their travel plans, especially for those who don't have easy access to the internet and other e-ticketing options."

Labour Group leader Cllr David Meller similarly said of Stockport station's ticket office: "This is more than just a ticket office. This is an asset for the community."

A statement on Stockport Labour Group's website also read: "Losing ticket offices across Stockport would have particularly damaging consequences for elderly and disabled people in our community and unattended stations are less safe for everybody."

The full list of proposed closures for Stockport stations is as follows:

• Bramhall 
• Bredbury
• Brinnington
• Cheadle Hulme 
• Davenport 
• Gatley
• Hazel Grove 
• Heaton Chapel
• Marple
• Reddish North 
• Romiley 
• Rose Hill
• Stockport 
• Woodsmoor

At Stockport Station, for instance, Avanti has proposed that all ticket offices will close with staff being redirected elsewhere, transitioning to 'multi-skilled customer ambassador roles'. 

Avanti argued that this would mean staff "are better placed to help customers buy tickets, provide expert travel advice, information, and assistance for customers". 

The train operating company also maintains: "We will continue to meet all our commitments on providing accessibility for passengers, including passengers with reduced mobility and people requiring in-person assistance."

Elsewhere in the borough, a pamphlet from Northern concerning Heaton Chapel read: "It is proposed that this ticket office will close, with station colleagues moving to be more visible around the station to help customers with a wider range of help and support. This station will retain a staffing presence."

Heaton Chapel would be another station facing closure with these proposals (Image - Alasdair Perry)

The move to begin a consultation on the future offices has been made by the Rail Delivery Group, which represents train companies, after talks with the RMT union failed to reach an agreement.

The industry body has said only 12% of tickets are currently sold at station kiosks on average, compared with 85% in 1995, with passengers now buying more tickets online or at machines.

It argues that its changes will enable staff to come out from behind the glass of station offices and be free to help more passengers. Few details have been given of how the consultations will take place.

Those who wish to comment on the proposals can email [email protected] (for all stations across Stockport barring Stockport itself) or [email protected] (for Stockport station itself). 

Alternatively, freepost RTEH-XAGE-BYKZ, Transport Focus, PO Box 5594, Southend on Sea, SS1 9PZ. 

The deadline for feedback is tomorrow (26 July 2023).

For more information on how to have your say, visit the transport focus website HERE.

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