Macclesfield political parties weigh in on train ticket office closure
By The Editor
24th Jul 2023 | Local News
The general public has just three days to respond to a nationwide consultation about proposed ticket office closures.
Macclesfield is one of over 1,000 railway station ticket offices set to be shut.
Hundreds of residents have already raised their objections, including a petition with almost 1000 signatures.
Furthermore, political parties and individuals from Macclesfield have shared their views on Macclesfield Railway Station's impending ticket office closure.
Four political parties have shared their views with Macclesfield Nub News.
Macclesfield Labour Party added in a statement: "This move will disproportionately affect residents who most need help getting out and about on our rail network – including elderly passengers, people with disabilities and the digitally excluded who are unable to purchase online.
"Ticket machines do not provide some of the 'best value' ticket options or the opportunity to buy rail cards and as a penalty fare is now £100, passengers could end up having to buy a more expensive or less convenient tickets from a machine, just to avoid the possibility of a penalty fare later on.
"Ticket office staff have a wealth of knowledge about the best route and cheapest fare options, provide much needed safety and reassurance for the travelling public as well as advice and help."
Labour Cheshire East Councillor Judy Snowball, Broken Cross and Upton Ward said: "A petition started by residents in Macclesfield now has over 900 signatures, with many comments regarding the support provided by ticket office staff and the excellent support they provide.
"The ticket office staff provide an invaluable service, particularly for those who require additional help including the elderly and disabled.
"Having a staffed ticket office also helps women feel safer.
"This news is deeply worrying for elderly and disabled residents, the people employed in our rail industry, the staff employed at Macclesfield Station and all those who rely on the support and advice provided by staff in ticket offices."
Judy was joined by fellow Macclesfield Labour Councillors Brian Puddicombe, Fiona Wilson, Liz Braithwaite at a protest outside Macclesfield Railway Station last Monday. The RMT Union also attended.
David Rutley MP, has given his support to calls to save Macclesfield train station's ticket office.
The Conservative recently met with staff and spoke to passengers at the station to discuss their concerns about how Avanti West Coast's consultation on closing the ticket office will impact both customers and staff.
A statement on his website reads: "It is clear that there is strong local opposition to the plans and that the proposals have not been fully thought through for Macclesfield's busy, actively used train station.
"There are a number of outstanding key questions, including how the proposed plans would improve the support available to customers, when fully ticket trained staff would be on duty for fewer hours.
"Passengers with disabilities, including those with visual impairments, and older more vulnerable people would also be particularly disadvantaged by the removal of a ticket office.
"In addition, it is unclear how the proposals will affect the very dedicated, well respected, and long-serving team at Macclesfield station. They deserve answers to the important questions they are raising about ongoing support for passengers and their own jobs.
"David is also concerned that while Avanti is proposing to close Macclesfield ticket office, Northern have confirmed that they will be retaining a number of ticket offices in key stations, including in Glossop [High Peak].
"Many rail users understand that change will be required in the future as passengers become more digitally minded. However, Avanti needs to ensure that current plans have been properly thought through before final decisions are made on the future of ticket offices in actively used stations."
Macclesfield Conservative Association have also been contacted for comment.
"As a frequent user of Macclesfield station, I regularly see first-hand how important the ticket office and its well-respected team are to many train users and the wider community," said David.
"We need to save Macclesfield's ticket office, as the current proposals have not been fully thought through and the impacts are not clear for both passengers and staff.
"I would urge all rail users to set out their views in the consultation, so that they are more fully taken into account as part of this process over the weeks ahead."
Other local stations losing their ticket office alongside Macclesfield includes Crewe, Congleton and Holmes Chapel.
Cheshire East Green Party Secretary Amanda Iremonger quoted Matt Edwards, Green Party transport spokesperson and leader of the Green Party Group on Bradford Council, by saying "'Any decision to close station ticket offices would be another short-sighted decision by a government that does not care about people who use public transport to get around.'"
She went on to add: "For Macclesfield residents, especially the disadvantaged and the elderly, we need to introduce broad-ranging, innovative solutions in transport as all policy areas, to increase fairness and equality.
"On this issue, where is the discussion of combining ticket offices with other uses? Or of how to provide the (broader) service offered by a staffed ticket office (perhaps by having immediately available in-person interaction, allowing passengers - including those worried, infirm or unable to access reasonably priced tickets - to call for help when there is an urgent need)?
"More widely, where is the drive to shift us from cars to greener, more affordable transport (buses, cycle lanes, more pedestrianisation)?
"Thanks are due to Steve Kay, for his change.org petition asking for the planned closure to be stopped. I encourage everyone to sign it and to join us in taking more steps towards fairness and equality for all."
Macclesfield Lib Dems also responded to Macclesfield Nub News' request for comment.
Their current chair and Macclesfield Forest resident Trevor Preistman said: "Macclesfield Liberal Democrats are against the closure of the ticket office at Macclesfield train staition and across Cheshire East."
"It will make getting train tickets harder for those who are blind or visually impaired, those with language barriers, or are just uncomfortable with or don't have access to the technology. With many ticket machines offering card payment only, this could also be a risk for people fleeing domestic abuse, forcing them to pay on cards where partners can see what payments have been made and where.
"Ticket offices closures will reduce accessibility, cut employment, and stop them being used as a support hub for the wider community.
"These cuts are yet another example of a Conservative government that puts private rail companies profits ahead of the needs of public transport users.
"Across Macclesfield bus cuts have already reduced the ability of vulnerable transport users being able to access amenities, maintaining contact with family or friends, and impacted on their independence.
"These closures will now have a further detrimental impact on people."
The nationwide consultation on the proposed ticket office closures ends on Wednesday July 26.
Comments can also be emailed to [email protected], or sent via write Freepost to RTEH-XAGE-BYKZ, Transport Focus, PO Box 5594, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 9PZ.
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