Published Tuesday 25 July 2023 at 12:35
The Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council has called for action for the Government to reconsider the proposals to close train ticket offices.
Councillor Phil Riley, Leader of the Council, said: “Blackburn with Darwen 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.
“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.”