MP seeking clarity over rail ticket office closures

The small station is a so-called category E railway station, alongside others across Yorkshire and the Humber such as Thirsk, Worksop, Hebden Bridge and Cross Gates, Leeds.

The Secretary of State, Justine Greening, has previously denied that the Government has already made the decision to close ticket offices at small railway stations.

However, an email from the civil servant responsible for the Rail Fares and Ticketing Review which was leaked to the publication Rail News says: “the Minister has already decided to approve some ticket office closures it’s just not been announced yet ... there will be more of those in future”.

Now, Labour councillors in Doncaster, along with Don Valley MP Caroline Flint, say they fear that Thorne North could be one of the 675 category E railway stations set to lose its ticket office.

Ms Flint said yesterday: “I am appalled that the Government is making secret decisions about our station without consulting local service users.

“The Minister should now own up and admit that she has already given the green light to these ticket office closures.

“I have written to the Secretary of State for Transport to demand a full disclosure on any decision made that will affect Thorne North Station.”

Coun Rachel Hodson added: “This is just one of many cuts from the Tory-led Government which is going to hit Thorne hard.

“Thorne North station is used regularly by residents to commute to Doncaster, Goole and further afield.

“The loss of the ticket office would be a blow to the local area.”

There are currently 675 category E, or small staffed, railway stations in the country.

Only category F stations, of which there are 1,192, are smaller – but they are already unstaffed, meaning that passengers have to buy their tickets from a machine rather than a ticket office.

Coun Eddie Dobbs said that a staffed ticket office “ensures a better service for everyone and creates jobs in the local economy”.

He added: “I hope the Government will think again about this decision.”