Following an extensive campaign by Afzal Khan MP to stop the Government’s closures of rail ticket offices at Levenshulme and Gorton stations, the Department for Transport announced today it would no longer be going ahead with these plans.

The plans, first announced in early July by the Rail Delivery Group, were met with widespread opposition from MPs, disability charities and the public. For Levenshulme and Gorton stations, this move would have meant a reduction in staffed time of over 70%, which would have had a huge impact particularly on older people and those with additional access needs.

I received hundreds of emails from constituents opposing these plans, which I submitted to the Rail Delivery Group’s consultation on the planned closures. I also wrote to the Transport Secretary and Chief Executive of Northern Railway to express my objection to these plans. Alongside Andrew Gwynne MP, I presented a public petition to Parliament opposing the reduction in staffed hours at Levenshulme and Gorton stations.

I’m extremely pleased the Government has finally u-turned on this deeply cynical measure which would have had a disastrous impact on my constituents, particularly those who need extra support when using public transport. The Government received over 750,000 responses to it’s consultation – 99% of which were objections – which shows the strength of feeling against these plans. I welcome the Government’s decision to listen to my constituents, to MPs, campaigners, charities and trade unions and keep rail ticket offices open to help passengers.