Council condemns proposals to close ticket offices in Lancashire
Leader of Blackburn[1] with Darwen Borough Council Councillor Phil Riley, said ticket offices were a 'lifeline' for many people.
Northern has announced plans to close the offices at the Accrington, Burnley[2] Manchester Road and Burnley Central train stations.
This would just leave the ticket office at Blackburn station operating, and one of just two offices across the whole of Lancashire to remain open, alongside Blackpool North.
The move is being driven by the government's pressure on the rail industry to save money due to the revenue decline caused by the Covid pandemic.
Councillor Riley, said: “Blackburn with Darwen[3] Council is joining the many calls across the country including elected representatives from across the political spectrum, transport bodies, charities, unions and passenger groups to halt the proposed ticket office closures in England.
“Our Council condemns the proposals and last week the Council agreed to write to both the Secretary of State and our local MPs to outline our concerns."
Cllr Riley added: “The provision of ticket offices is vital in ensuring that those not in a position to purchase tickets online or via machines – a fifth of all passengers, most certainly to include some of the most vulnerable members of society, including the elderly, the disabled especially those with visual impairments and those with learning difficulties – are able to do so and it is inevitable that many passengers will stop using trains if they are not able to continue booking tickets at ticket offices.
“This will be yet another lifeline cut off for potentially millions of individuals around the country.
“As a Council, we are committed to tackling digital exclusion and social isolation. Encouraging and increasing the use of rail travel is vital as part of efforts to tackle the climate emergency.
“We urge that these proposals are reconsidered.”