Countdown to Closures

Date posted: 6th July 2023

Consultation on rail ticket offices closures extended to September 1

Rail operating companies  have announced plans to close 974 ticket offices across England. A public consultation has been launched and closes on Friday 1 September.  Take action  now to stop these plans.

Without specific measures to protect independent travel of blind people, these closures will add another barrier to an already inaccessible rail network.

  • Existing alternatives, such as ticket machines and many online booking apps are inaccessible to blind and partially sighted people.
  • Ticket offices provide a readily accessible and easy point of assistance for blind people. Until an improved alternative is in widespread use, then they must remain.
  •  Poor station design, failing audio announcements, outdated wayfinding, inaccessible technology, inconsistent tactile navigation and Victorian platforms, already make navigating rail travel  a challenge for blind people.  Ticket office closures will simply add an extra barrier.

 

Three things you can do today:

  • Write to your MP to raise concerns about the impact of the closures by clicking this link.
  • Respond to the consultation using our template letter, which you can download below. You can amend the letter to add your own personal stories and examples.

Download our template letter

  • Spread the word.

 

Depending on where you live,  and the rail operator(s) you use, you will need to send your letter to different email addresses.

London: London TravelWatch

If you live in London, address your letter of objection the following email addresses (it is up to you which one(s) you use!)

Avanti West Coast: AWC.Consultation@Londontravelwatch.org.uk

Chiltern Rail: Chiltern.Consultation@Londontravelwatch.org.uk

c2c: c2c.Consultation@Londontravelwatch.org.uk

Greater Anglia: GA.Consultation@Londontravelwatch.org.uk

Great Northern/Thameslink: GNTL.Consultation@Londontravelwatch.org.uk

Great Western Railway: GWR.Consultation@Londontravelwatch.org.uk

London Northwestern Railway: LNR.Consultation@Londontravelwatch.org.uk

Southeastern Rail: Southeastern.Consultation@Londontravelwatch.org.uk

Southern Rail: Southern.Consultation@Londontravelwatch.org.uk

SWR (South West Rail): SWR.Consultation@Londontravelwatch.org.uk

England (not including London): Transport Focus

If you live outside of London, address your letter of objection to the following email addresses (it is up to you which one(s) you use!)

Avanti West Coast: ticketoffice.Avanti@transportfocus.org.uk

Chiltern Rail: ticketoffice.Chiltern@transportfocus.org.uk

c2c: ticketoffice.c2c@transportfocus.org.uk

East Midlands Railway: ticketoffice.EMR@transportfocus.org.uk

Govia Thameslink Railway: ticketoffice.GTR@transportfocus.org.uk

Greater Anglia: ticketoffice.GA@transportfocus.org.uk

Great Western Railway: ticketoffice.GWR@transportfocus.org.uk

LNER (London North Eastern Rail): ticketoffice.LNER@transportfocus.org.uk

Northern Rail: ticketoffice.Northern@transportfocus.org.uk

Southeastern Rail: ticketoffice.Southeastern@transportfocus.org.uk

SWR (South West Rail): ticketoffice.SWR@transportfocus.org.uk

TransPennine Express: ticketoffice.TPE@transportfocus.org.uk

West Midlands Trains: ticketoffice.WMT@transportfocus.org.uk

If you need assistance to provide your feedback, then you can contact Transport Focus at: 0300 123 2350.

 

You can find more information about the consultation and who to send your response to on the Transport Focus website: https://www.transportfocus.org.uk/train-station-ticket-office-consultation/

Or the London TravelWatch website: https://www.londontravelwatch.org.uk/ticket-offices-have-your-say/

Back to all News