Worcestershire’s district councils raise concerns about proposals to close ticket offices

The leaders of the six district councils in Worcestershire have united to express concern about proposals that would see all but one railway station in Worcestershire lose its ticket office.

The councils have submitted joint responses to the consultations by West Midlands Railway and Great Western Railway. All tickets offices across the county would close apart from Worcester Foregate Street.

The district councils are concerned about the impact of the changes on users of rail services in Worcestershire, including tourists at some stations. They are calling on the companies to pay careful attention to points raised by rail users in the consultation.

Councillor Tom Wells, Leader of Malvern Hills District Council, who chaired the meeting that discussed the issue, said:

"The railway companies should not make it harder for people to use railways. It is not just about buying tickets – it is about security and wrap around support for rail users.

"The district councils are particularly concerned about the lack of information and guarantees within West Midlands Railway's proposals. They do not state when staff will be available at the county's busiest stations that currently have ticket offices, or promise to keep existing access to waiting room and toilet facilities. In contrast, Great Western Railway has set out that staff will continue to be present during the same hours as now."

The consultation closed on 1 September. 

Responses to consultation on ticket offices

1. West Midlands Railway

Joint response by the district councils of Worcestershire

This joint response has been endorsed by the leaders of the six district councils in Worcestershire – the proposals directly affect all six districts.

The district councils are concerned about the impact of the changes on users of rail services in Worcestershire, including tourists at some stations, and call on the company to pay careful attention to points raised by rail users. The industry should not make it harder for people to use railways. It is not just about buying tickets – it is about security and wrap around support for rail users.

The district councils raise particular concern about the lack of information and guarantees within West Midlands Railway's proposals in respect of times when staff will be available at stations that currently have ticket offices and in respect of maintaining existing access to waiting room and toilet facilities. The contrast with the detailed proposals issued by Great Western Railway is stark and not acceptable.

The district councils call on West Midlands Railway to set out its proposed timetable for implementing changes, and the minimum guaranteed hours when staff will be present at the county's busiest stations shown in the following table:

Data on estimated station usage (2021-22) drawn from ORR Data Portal

For stations that have internal areas, the district councils seek a guarantee that a ticket machine will be provided inside if one is not already available, so that users may buy tickets shielded from the weather.

The district councils call for alternative use to be made of current ticket office areas (whether for commercial or community purposes or for rail users), rather than simply seeing them boarded up.

2. Great Western Railway

Joint response by the district councils of Worcestershire

This joint response has been endorsed by the leaders of the six district councils in Worcestershire – although GWR's proposals directly affect only stations located in Wychavon.

The district councils are concerned about the impact of the changes on users of rail services in Worcestershire, including tourists at some stations, and call on the company to pay careful attention to points raised by rail users. The industry should not make it harder for people to use railways. It is not just about buying tickets – it is about security and wrap around support for rail users.

Although concerned about the impact of closure of ticket offices, the districts welcome the comprehensiveness and clarity of the proposals from Great Western Railway, including times when staff will continue to be available at stations that currently have ticket offices and in respect of maintaining existing access to waiting room and toilet facilities.

For stations that have internal areas, the district councils seek a guarantee that a ticket machine will be provided inside if one is not already available, so that users may buy tickets shielded from the weather.

The district councils call for alternative use to be made of current ticket office areas (whether for commercial or community purposes or for rail users), rather than simply seeing them boarded up.