Hyndburn Council Accrington ticket office closure halt call
In July East Lancashire's main train operator Northern announced plans to close the office at Accrington[1] station.
The equivalents at Burnley[2] Manchester Road and Burnley Central rail hubs are also scheduled to shut under a nationwide programme.
This would leave Blackburn[3] as the only railway station in East Lancashire with an operating ticket office.
Across the rest of the county just Blackpool North will survive the cull, and will face amended opening hours.
Preston station's ticket office is slated for closure.
Now Barnfield Labour Councillor Mike Booth has submitted a motion to Hyndburn[4] full council on Thursday entitled 'Opposing the Closure of Accrington Rail Station Ticket Office', calling for action to try and halt the move.
It is seconded by borough Labour group leader Cllr Munsif Dad.
It reads: "This council resolves to instruct the chief executive to write to the secretary of state for transport Mark Harper, Northern Rail chief operating officer Tricia Williams and the Rail Delivery Group chief executive Jacqueline Starr to oppose the closure of Accrington rail station ticket office and preserve this vital facility for the benefit of our community."
It asks that the council note:
- Accrington Rail Station ticket office has served as an essential and valuable resource for the local community, offering convenient ticketing services, information, and assistance topassengers - it is more than just a ticket office;
- The closure of the Accrington ticket office would result in the loss of vital services and negatively impact the accessibility and convenience of public transportation for residents and visitors alike;
- Accrington ticket office has been a symbol of community engagement, fostering a sense of safety and security for travellers, particularly during busy periods and emergencies;
- The closure of Accrington ticket office may lead to a reduction in the quality of customer service and will create potential barriers for passengers with limited access to online ticketing or technological resources; and
- Accrington rail station plays a crucial role in supporting the local economy especially with the ongoing investment in the town centre, and maintaining the ticket office’s operations would contribute to the growth and sustainability of the area.
Ms Williams, from Northern, said in July: "Only one in six journeys on Northern services are purchased through a ticket office, this compares to almost half of all journeys in 2018.
"We need to modernise to meet the changing needs of our customers."
Hyndburn's Tory Council leader Cllr Marlene Haworth declined to comment on the motion.