Mass protests over railway station ticket office closures as Commons Speaker challenges transport minister over 'the truth'

Mass protests over railway station ticket office closures were being held today across Greater Manchester and the country as Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle challenged a transport minister, insisting he is not being told the 'truth' by train operating companies.

Union protests were held this morning at Wigan North Western and Stalybridge stations - with a demonstration also scheduled for this evening at Manchester Piccadilly. Further protests have been pencilled in for Friday at Manchester Oxford Road and Manchester Piccadilly - and into next week.

The Manchester Evening News reported a ticket office will remain open at Manchester Victoria railway station, but Manchester Piccadilly's has been earmarked to shut under the controversial closure plans across England announced earlier this month.

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Rail operator Northern also confirmed plans to close manned ticket offices at 45 stations across Greater Manchester, although they will be retained at six other stations.

Avanti West Coast, which runs services to London Euston from Manchester Piccadilly, confirmed a consultation, which will see phased changes over three years, would apply to 16 stations it manages - including Stockport and Wigan North Western - as well as its ticket offices at Network Rail stations where it is the lead retailer, which include Manchester Piccadilly.

The ticket office at Piccadilly, however, 'will remain open short-term for customers who have complicated ticket queries which cannot currently be dealt with online or at a ticket vending machine', added Avanti. No time-scale for that was given.

The mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, also said the