Dr Neil Hudson MP celebrated the Government's decision to ensure rail operators retain ticket offices after lobbying Ministers, engaging the local community in the consultation process and writing to train companies.
Since rail operators proposed to close hundreds of rail ticket offices in England - such as Appleby, Carlisle and Penrith - Dr Hudson has passionately campaigned to retain services which would have disproportionately impacted rural communities, the elderly, and those with disabilities.
Today his efforts were rewarded, with Government making clear to the rail industry that plans must be withdrawn and ticket offices kept operational.
Dr Neil Hudson MP said:
"Our Government is absolutely on track to securing a more sustainable future for our nation's great rail infrastructure.
"Thanks to Conservative Government intervention, Penrith, Appleby and Carlisle ticket offices have all been saved. This is a tremendous win for rural communities like ours where digital connectivity challenges can hamper consumers trying to buy tickets online or by phone. Moreover, I have found throughout the process that older people and those with disabilities rely far more heavily on a personal service when travelling by rail, so no doubt there will be much delight throughout these demographics.
"I have said consistently that we must make it as easy as possible for passengers across the country to travel on our railways as we transition to a lower carbon economy. So I thank Ministers who have listened to me on this and the wealth of feeling throughout the nation and told rail operators clearly that any changes to services must meet the high threshold set by Government, which this proposal clearly did not."
On top of this announcement, the Government will also be spending a further £350 million to improve accessibility at up to 100 stations. Stations will be able to benefit from refitted lifts, tactile surfaces, ramps and footbridges, new ticket gates and accessible waiting rooms and toilets.
Ministers have committed £20 million to extend Pay As You Go ticketing to a further 53 stations by the end of the year.
The Department for Transport has also just completed an audit of all of our railway stations and will now be assessing what changes can be made to the benefit of all passengers.
