Gloucester leaders rally round calls to save city’s railway station ticket office

Gloucester civic chiefs have rallied round calls to save the city’s railway station ticket office from closure.

Passengers at Gloucester Railway Station may not be able to get train tickets at a ticket office in the future under proposals put forward by Great Western Railway (GWR).

Rail firms have announced plans to close hundreds of station ticket offices across England over the next three years.

And GWR, which operates Gloucester Railway Station, is considering the future of the city’s ticket office with its forecast to close by June 2024.

Gloucester City Councillors say the ticket office is an integral part of the station and is frequently busy, providing visitors nad residents with far more than just tickets.

They say to lose the ticket office would be detrimental to the visitor and resident experience when accessing or leaving the city by train.

And they say the move would be detrimental to nearby improvements which are currently underway at the Transport Hub and The Forum.

Councillor Tree Chambers-Dubus (L, Moreland), put forward a motion on September 21, to write to transport secretary Mark Harper expressing the council’s concern over the possible closure of the ticket office.

The council will also write to Gloucester MP Richard Graham and Tewkesbury MP Laurence Robertson to ask for their support to retain the ticket office at Gloucester station.

And the motion, which received unanimous support, will also see authority liaise with GWR regarding the importance of the ticket office’s importance to the city.

“Not only is Gloucester Railway Station an important gateway to our city, situated in an area that is being invested in heavily, but it is also a well-used amenity for residents of Gloucester and visitors alike,” she said.

“The ticket office at our station is vitally important for the many people who are unable to buy tickets online, via an app or from the ticket machine.

“It is staffed by knowledgeable people who can give up to the minute information, assistance and reassurance to each customer regardless of their individual needs.

“The unanimous vote to accept the Labour Group’s motion at Thursday’s City Council meeting and therefore the council’s commitment to take further action Is another step towards retaining Gloucester Railway Station’s ticket office.’

By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter

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