Disabled train users have rejoiced after the news that ticket offices at Southwark’s national rail stations will remain open.
The Rail Delivery Group (RDG) had floated plans to shut 1,000 offices nationally to “modernise” the service despite fears vulnerable people would be adversely affected.
But Transport Secretary Mark Harper said train operators had been asked to drop the proposals saying they “do not meet the high thresholds set by ministers”.
In Southwark, local politicians from across the political divide had united in opposition to the plans, which would have closed offices at ten stations.
Canada Water resident Dennis Mitchell, 64, who suffers from mental health problems that affect his ability to read, said he was “very pleased”.
Of the campaigners, he said: “They couldn’t have done better. [Without them] we wouldn’t have got it.”
He said that using machines instead of manned ticket offices would have been very difficult.
“It will save me getting flustered and everything. I’m well pleased with the result.”
The RDG had said that only 12 per cent of tickets sold the previous year had been done so from ticket offices.
Their proposals would have seen the loss of ticket offices at Denmark Hill, East Dulwich, Elephant and Castle, North Dulwich, Nunhead, Peckham Rye, Queen’s Road, South Bermondsey, Sydenham Hill and West Dulwich stations.
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Only the London Bridge ticket office would have remained open.
It had said it would incense the presence of roving platform staff to limit the negative impact on customers.
But passenger watchdogs Transport Focus and London Travelwatch, and disability charity Scope all expressed concerns about its impact on the elderly and disabled people.
Labour’s Peckham Rye councillor Chloe Tomlinson, who campaigned against the closure, shared those fears.
Reacting to the u-turn, she said: “This is a huge win for everyone who cares about high quality, accessible public transport.
“Credit goes to all the trade unionists, disability rights groups, and members of the public who campaigned to save our ticket offices, in Rye Lane and beyond.
“I am delighted the Rye Lane ticket office will now remain open.”
Cllr Rachel Bentley, deputy leader of the Southwark Liberal Democrats, said: “The government’s decision to keep ticket offices open is a rare bit of good news. The reckless plan to close most ticket offices would have rendered stations inaccessible to those with greater needs.”
RDG chief executive Jacqueline Starr said: “While these plans won’t now be taken forward, we will continue to look at other ways to improve passenger experience while delivering value for the taxpayer.”
