Worcestershire district councils raise concerns about proposals to close ticket offices

The leaders of the six district councils in Worcestershire have united to express concern about proposals that would see all but one railway station in Worcestershire lose its ticket office.

The councils have submitted joint responses to the consultations by West Midlands Railway and Great Western Railway. All tickets offices across the county would close apart from Worcester Foregate Street.

The district councils are concerned about the impact of the changes on users of rail services in Worcestershire, including tourists at some stations. They are calling on the companies to pay careful attention to points raised by rail users in the consultation.

Councillor Tom Wells, Leader of Malvern Hills District Council, who chaired the meeting that discussed the issue, said: “The railway companies should not make it harder for people to use railways. It is not just about buying tickets – it is about security and wrap around support for rail users.

“The district councils are particularly concerned about the lack of information and guarantees within West Midlands Railway’s proposals. They do not state when staff will be available at the county’s busiest stations that currently have ticket offices, or promise to keep existing access to waiting room and toilet facilities. In contrast, Great Western Railway has set out that staff will continue to be present during the same hours as now.”

The consultation closed on 1 September.