Luke Pollard MP has urged the government to save Plymouth train station ticket office from closure, amid news today that the Conservatives plan to shut nearly all rail ticket offices across the country.

The closure of nearly 1000 rail ticket offices across Britain could be rubber stamped within three weeks, after the rail industry today launched a 21-day public consultation on their future.

The closures are being pushed forward as part of the government’s so called ‘modernisation’ drive.

Luke warned that the closure would hit disabled, elderly and vulnerable passengers, many of whom rely on ticket office staff as a “lifeline” to book tickets and use the railways.

He also called on the government to be open and honest, emphasising that passengers and station staff deserve better than hearing about the plans in the media.

Luke has written to the Managing Director of Great Western Rail, Mark Hopwood, to seek assurances about the future of Plymouth ticket office and the job security of rail staff.

Luke Pollard, Member of Parliament for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, said:   

““The ticket office at Plymouth railway station is a lifeline for so many passengers, including lots of disabled, elderly and vulnerable travellers. I will be fighting tooth and nail to save it from closure.  

“When the Conservatives talk about modernising the railways, what they really mean is hitting working people with cuts like this while hiking fares again and again. Labour will end the managed decline of our railways by bringing services back into public ownership.”

Luke has campaigned for the government to improve rail services in the South West since he was elected in 2017.

He also successfully campaigned with Plymouth Youth Music Service for funding from Great Western Rail to install a “people’s piano” in Plymouth train station, installed in November last year.