Lewisham MPs write to Transport Secretary over ticket office closures

Lewisham’s three MPs have written to the Transport Secretary Mark Harper in protest over the Government’s plan to allow train companies to close 14 ticket offices in the borough.

It comes after Southeastern Railway implemented a controversial timetable last December that provoked a backlash from train users and MPs.

In their letter, the MPs pressed the Transport Secretary on the job security of rail staff currently employed in rail ticket offices.

They also asked what impact there might be on the safety and accessibility of the rail network for disabled and elderly passengers.

Janet Daby, MP for Lewisham East said: “I am alarmed that this failing Government is allowing ticket offices to close and for people to potentially lose their jobs across the country during a cost-of-living.

“The proposed changes will mean the Blackheath, Catford Bridge, Hither Green and Lee ticket offices could cease to exist.

Southeastern, which operates the majority of stations in Lewisham, has announced it will be conducting a consultation in a phased approach.

The first 40 stations of the first phase of consultation are all in Southeastern’s Metro area. The consultation will end on Wednesday July 25.

The closures are expected to take place over the next three years.

Ellie Reeves, MP for Lewisham West and Penge said: “From touch screens being hard to see and use to those on lower incomes preferring to use cash to budget efficiently during a cost-of-living crisis, there are many reasons why people choose to use a ticket office over a ticket machine.

“Currently there are tickets that cannot be purchased through the ticket machines nor via Southeastern’s ownKey SmartCards, these are the tickets that require face-to-face sale and these discounts apply to some of the most vulnerable in our society.

“As a publicly owned rail company, Southeastern must listen to the wishes of its customers. They want ticket offices to remain open.”

Vicky Foxcroft, MP for Lewisham Deptford said: “The proposal to close vital ticket offices in England has far-reaching consequences not least for the safety and accessibility of the rail network for disabled and elderly passengers.

“I will fight these plans, so my constituents do not have to endure yet more disruption to the already poor transport service in Lewisham Deptford”

A Department for Transport spokesman said: “These industry-led consultations are about enhancing the role of station workers and getting staff out from behind ticket office screens and into more active, customer-facing roles that will allow them to better support all passengers. This is not about cutting jobs – no station which is currently staffed will be unstaffed as a result of these proposed reforms.

“We have been consistently honest about the need for our railways to modernise if they are going to survive. Reviewing the role of ticket offices – with the least busy selling only one ticket an hour – is a crucial part of this.”

Steve White, Southeastern’s managing director, said: “As staff move into new roles, we will ensure they will have the training, equipment and support they need.

“Bringing staff out of ticket offices means more of them will be available to help customers in the right place, at the right time with the right equipment – like body worn video as well as appropriate training so they can carry out their work confidently and safely.

“For the sake of clarity, existing ticket office staff are not used to provide pre-booked assistance; the changes we are proposing will make more well-trained staff available to help customers who need support or who have specific accessibility requirements”.

Pictured top: From left, Lewisham MPs Janet Daby, Ellie Reeves and Vicky Foxcroft (Picture: UK Parliament)