Fleur Anderson Writes to Minister About Ticket Office Closure
Objecting to plans to shut facilities at Putney and Wandsworth Town station
Fleur Anderson outside Putney Station
July 14, 2023
Fleur Anderson MP has written to the Secretary of State for Transport, Mark Harper MP, to object to the closure of local ticket offices at train stations including Putney and Wandsworth Town.
Proposed South Western Railway station ticket office closures locally include Putney, Wandsworth Town, Barnes, Wimbledon, Raynes Park, Richmond, Brentford, Chiswick, Clapham Junction, Earlsfield, and London Waterloo. In addition, the Southern Rail stations proposed for closure include Wandsworth Common and Battersea Park.
The Putney MP has written to the Secretary of State with concerns regarding the impact of closing ticket offices on those with disabilities, mobility needs and visual impairments and asked for the public consultation, currently due to close in under 3 weeks’ time, to be extended.
Campaigners will be outside Putney train station on Friday 21 July from 7.30am to 9am to gather support for the campaign against the closures.
Ms Anderson said, “Ticket offices are not an unnecessary thing of the past. They are a point of human contact for so many needs and enquiries – from supporting those with disabilities around the station, those with visual impairment who cannot currently use ticket machines to helping passengers get the correct ticket at the cheapest price for their journey. This is more important now than ever given the cost of living crisis.
“Ticket offices are also crucial for all kinds of problems at the station – if a child goes missing, if someone has a medical emergency, if a crime is committed, or property is lost. We need friendly workers at our stations to help passengers and I am hugely concerned at any potential job losses these cuts to stations would involve.”
On 5 July, the Rail Delivery Group confirmed plans to move staff out of ticket offices and into stations, with the consultation on these significant changes to last just 21 days, closing on 26 July.
Campaigners argue that those with accessibility concerns will suffer as a consequence of the closures of ticket offices.
Research by the Royal National Institute of Blind People has found that only 3% of people with sight loss said they could use a ticket vending machine without problems and 58% said it was impossible.
Ms Anderson added, “I am particularly concerned about the impact that these closures may have on those with visual impairments, who are often not able to use digital ticket machines nor buy tickets online. Residents have already contacted me opposing these plans and have demanded that upgrades to make digital ticket machines accessible happen swiftly.
“They have pointed out that ticket offices are their first port of call and roaming staff are not an acceptable alternative, as they may struggle to find the staff in the first place due to visual impairment. I would encourage all residents to submit to the consultation as quickly as possible, as there are only three weeks to contribute.”
Residents can find the consultation online here and can also email their response to: swr.consultation@londontravelwatch.org.uk
Or write to:
Freepost RTEH-XAGE-BYKZ
London TravelWatch
PO Box 5594
Southend-on-Sea
SS1 9PZ
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