Full impact of train ticket office closure plans revealed in latest update by travel bosses

Passengers who could be affected by planned train ticket office closures have been issued with an update. The shock announcement would affect many stations across the country, including impacting journeys in and around Manchester.

The rail industry last week announced a public consultation over the proposed closure of almost every one of the ticket facilities across England – including at Preston, Blackpool North and Chorley stations – amid claims that only around 1 in 10 passengers now use them. Lancashire County Council’s Labour opposition group leader Azhar Ali has condemned the idea – and written to senior rail figures to express “deep concern” over the potential impact of the move on those who rely on face-to-face support.

He has also criticised the ruling Conservative group at County Hall for failing to do the same. However, the authority’s cabinet member for highways and transport, Rupert Swarbrick, said the priority is to ensure that people “do not feel less safe to travel” as a result of any changes that do go ahead.

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Industry body the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) says that its proposals would involve bringing staff out from behind ticket screens and result in “a more visible and accessible staff presence overall in stations during staffed hours, on ticket concourses and on platforms”. However, in his letter to RDG chief executive Jacqueline Starr and Tricia Williams, chief operating officer of train company Northern – which is responsible for most stations in Lancashire – County Cllr Ali said that it was “crucial to consider…the unique circumstances of each station”

He added: “The closure of ticket offices