Lymington’s Bottom of Town Group coming to New Milton to oppose …

CAMPAIGNERS will travel from Lymington to New Milton this weekend to voice their opposition to plans to close the ticket office at the town’s railway station.

The Railway Delivery Group (RDG) announced last month that it plans to reduce staff numbers and working hours at railway ticket offices throughout the country, before closing most of them for good.

Jon Ellis, holding the sign, with fellow protesters at Lymington Railway Station

The announcement prompted an angry response from Lymington’s Bottom of Town group, after it was proposed staff hours at the town’s station are reduced from 44 per week to just 20 before the office shuts.

The Lymington campaigners have been out in the streets gathering signatures from the public on letters opposing the planned cutbacks, recently securing their 500th signature.

Jon Ellis, of the Bottom of Town group, said he and fellow protestors will be coming to New Milton tomorrow (Saturday) to rally against plans to cut its ticket office hours from 78 per week to 20 before it is also shuttered.

Mr Ellis told the A&T: “The save the ticket office campaign in Lymington has gone well and we have achieved a target of 500 protest letters filled in by the public.

“We have received a request to go to New Milton’s rail station this Saturday, so we are likely to give Lymington a miss and assist in New Milton by setting up a table in Station Road.”

Lymington Bottom of Town group supporters gathering signatures against railway ticket office closure on Quay Hill on 5th August 2023

He added: “The proposed cut in staffing at New Milton station’s ticket office is even more draconian than at Lymington.

“The plan there is for staff hours to be reduced from 78 hours a week to just 20, with no staff at all on a Sunday or Monday, before it is closed completely.

“In opposing these proposals, we have the support of both New Forest MPs. It would be good to have local councillors, and indeed the town councils, on board and making some noise – we invite them to do so.”