Liz Truss calls on railway services to reconsider closing ticket offices at Downham Market

Liz Truss has called on train services to reconsider plans to close “essential” ticket offices at railway stations.

Proposals to close almost all of the ticket offices at a number of locations – affecting both Lynn and Downham – have faced stern criticism in recent weeks.

Campaign groups have voiced concerns about the potential impact on elderly residents, while Norfolk County Council said it “cannot support Greater Anglia’s proposals to replace station ticket offices with roving staff”.

And now Ms Truss, the South West Norfolk MP, has called on Greater Anglia and Great Northern to rethink the move.

The former Prime Minister has been “inundated” with letters and emails from constituents expressing their concerns about the move and what it could mean for rail users.

She said: “I am very concerned about the impact this move could have on people whose preferred or only means of accessing many essential functions is by using the ticket office.

“Without ticket offices, passengers would be forced to purchase tickets online or via ticket machines at the station – options which are not accessible for many passengers, including blind and partially-sighted people.

“Greater Anglia and Great Northern should reconsider these proposals in order to ensure that the railway continues to be accessible for all passengers.”

Ms Truss has made a submission an the ongoing consultation on the issue, and has encouraged all concerned constituents to do the same.

This consultation closes today, and can be accessed at https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/consult

Cllr Graham Plant, the county council’s cabinet member for highways, transport, and infrastructure, Cllr Graham Plant, previously said: “I am concerned that these changes could affect the most vulnerable people in society, who rely on ticket office staff to help them and could struggle to use ticket machines.”