Littleborough Station's Friends say "keep staffed ticket office" and urge community to respond to consultation

The Friends of Littleborough Stations group (FOLS) is urging the local community to respond to a 21-day consultation which could see Littleborough Railway Station's ticket office closed under new proposals to close the majority of manned ticket offices in England.

The Rail Delivery Group has revealed proposals which would see all but the busiest stations’ ticket offices close. These would still sell a full range of tickets.
 

Read more: Littleborough Station's ticket office facing closure under new plans to close most ticket offices in EnglandPublished: 06 July 2023

Northern has confirmed Rochdale Station is amongst those that will remain open, but Littleborough would face closure with the station only being staffed on a part-time basis between 9am and 1pm from Monday to Saturday.

The Pennines station would be unstaffed on a Sunday.

The Friends met on 10 July, and the main part of the meeting focused on the proposed closure of the staffed ticket office at Littleborough.

Chair Richard Lysons welcomed members old and new to the largest turnout of a Friends of Littleborough Stations (FOLS) meeting in many years.

FOLS formed over 15 years ago to campaign for step-free access to the platforms at Littleborough Station. The campaign was ultimately successful and the two access ramps are well used and appreciated.

The proposals by Northern to close the popular staffed ticket office at Littleborough and replace it with roving "Journey Makers" - with reduced hours - were greeted with anger, disappointment and disbelief by FOLS members.

Richard Lysons gave every member present at the meeting the opportunity to air their views and he thanked them for their continuing commitment to a staffed ticket office.

Particular concern was expressed for the needs of the disabled, the elderly, passengers lacking rail confidence and those without a computer or smartphone or who only use cash.

Mr Lysons said: "Littleborough Station and its ticket office is the gateway to the railway network and to the community it serves.

"Ticket office staff offer expert assistance in journey planning and finding the best and most economical train routes for passengers.

"FOLS were pressing for a Calder Valley Line Community Rail Partnership (CRP) over eight years ago and held an open meeting to discuss it. We were delighted at the creation of the CRP in 2021 after Calderdale and Rochdale councils worked together to make it happen, bringing the railway closer to its communities.

"It seems ironic that at the very time the rail partnership is encouraging locals and visitors to use the train along the beautiful Calder Valley that we face the possibility of our staffed ticket office closing down.

"The station's ticket office is a cornerstone of the community alongside our schools, doctors' surgeries, health centres, library and parks. It is part of what makes Littleborough a great place to live, work and visit.

"Ticket purchasing habits are changing with more tickets being purchased online or with ticket machines, but neither of these methods have the friendly human face. Computers and machines do not possess patience, empathy, imagination or sensitivity.

"We urge the Littleborough community to email their comments to: ticket.office.Network@transportfocus.org.uk or write FREEPOST (no stamp needed) to RTEH-XAGE-BYKZ, Transport Focus, PO Box 5594, Southend on Sea SS1 9PZ by 26 July.

"We have already had wonderful support from our local councillors, our Member of Parliament, local groups, shops and businesses. But people MUST respond before the deadline. "

If you would like to comment on these proposals as part of this consultation please contact Transport Focus by 11.59pm on 28 July 2023 using the details:

• Email: ticketoffice.Northern@transportfocus.org.uk
• Freepost: RTEH-XAGE-BYKZ, Transport Focus, PO Box 5594, Southend on Sea, SS1 9PZ

To view the consultation, please visit Northern’s website: www.northernrailway.co.uk/consultation-2023

If your response relates to a certain station please include the station name in your response.