BROMSGROVE District Council have backed a call from Lib Dem councillors to oppose the planned railway ticket office closures.
Lib Dem Lowes Hill Councillor, Josh Robinson’s motion to oppose the closures received cross party support with leader, Coun Karen May, now planning to write to the Rail Delivery Group and the Secretary of State to formally oppose the proposals.
Bromsgrove District Council will also listen to Coun Robinson’s plans to use social media platforms to raise awareness of the public consultation surrounding the closures which ends on July 26.
Under the proposals ticket offices at Bromsgrove, Northfield and Longbridge railway stations are all set to close and will be totally replaced by automated ticket machines and new ‘mobile teams’ which will operate on a ‘flexible basis’ at railway stations.
Councillor Robinson commented: “When I first heard the proposals to close the ticket offices, I think like a lot of people I was surprised by the sheer amount of closures that have been planned.
“I got into politics to protect the most vulnerable in our society, and you can see from the amount of people who are against these plans that some of the most vulnerable in society will suffer.”
Councillor Samuel Evans seconded the motion, and Coun Robinson’s calls were echoed by Lib Dem Group leader Coun Rob Hunter.
Councillor Hunter said: “I use the ticket office at Bromsgrove Station several times a week and see at first hand the vital service it offers to vulnerable people and those unable to access services in other ways.
“There is so much that just hadn’t been thought through about this proposal. We must fight to protect this vital service for our community.”
The public have until Wednesday July, 26 to submit their thoughts to the consultation.
Visit: https://bromsgrovestandard.co.uk/news/west-midlands-railway-plans-to-close-all-ticket-offices/ for more information on the closures.
Visit: https://www.transportfocus.org.uk/train-station-ticket-office-consultation/ to have your say on the proposed closures.
