South Gloucestershire Labour was proud to support a motion condemning the widespread closure of railway station ticket offices across the region last night.

The potential closures include Bristol Parkway in Stoke Gifford, Filton Abbey Wood, and Yate.

Up to 1,000 across the country could go, if the plans go through.

Labour wholeheartedly agreed with the motion put forward in the Council meeting last night at Kingswood Civic Centre and will be campaigning on this issue moving forward.

Matt Palmer (pictured below) is our Planning, Regeneration and Infrastructure spokesperson and said: “We all know why train companies like GWR are looking to close ticket offices: to cut costs and increase profits.

“Lots of people we’ve spoken to are concerned. They really value a set place in the station where there’s a friendly face who can talk things through.

“I’m particularly worried about the effects the closures would have on those with a disability, or the safety of women and girls travelling on their own.

“No one’s been calling for ticket offices to close, so it really disappoints me that it’s being considered.”

It’s not the first time Labour’s been vocal about the potential ticket office closures.

Metro Mayor Dan Norris told the BBC last week: “Many people in the West of England value the advice provided by staff in ticket offices.

“It’s not always simple knowing what’s best value, or the difference between peak and off-peak times, or why an advance single or a super-off-peak may be the way to go for a particular journey – tickets are tricky.”

And Combined Authority Mayors elsewhere in the country have also been fighting against the change: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-66231564

A demonstration against ticket office closures is taking place at Bristol Temple Meads railway station on Wednesday 26th July 2023 in the afternoon.

You can see the motion South Gloucestershire Labour supported last night here: https://council.southglos.gov.uk/documents/b38581/Urgent%20Motion%20-%20Rail%20Ticket%20Office%20Closures%2019th-Jul-2023%2019.30%20Council.pdf?T=9