Mims Davies MP has welcomed the decision to extend the consultation on rail ticket office closures by six weeks, allowing more residents to have their say.
The consultation will now remain open until 1 September, as confirmed on Wednesday 26th July by the Rail Minister, Huw Merriman MP.
You can have your say by on the proposed changes at your station using the consultation response form here: Ticket office closures - Transport Focus or by emailing ticketoffice.GTR@transportfocus.org.uk if your station is covered by GTR.
At the end of the extended consultation period for each train company, the independent watchdogs Transport Focus and London TravelWatch have 35 days in which to discuss the proposals and representations. At the end of that period an objection to particular proposals may be made.
A train company then has to decide whether or not to proceed. If they proceed contrary to an objection, then the matter is referred to the Secretary of State for Transport.
Below are the current ticket office hours for stations in the Mid Sussex constituency, and the proposed ticket assistance hours.
East Grinstead station
Current ticket office hours: Weekdays 05.55-20.15, Saturdays 06.20-20.25, Sundays 07.45-16.00
Proposed ticket assistance hours: Weekdays 06.00-20.00, Saturdays 06.00-20.00, Sundays 06.00-20.00
Haywards Heath station
Current ticket office hours: Weekdays 05.55-20.45, Saturdays 05.55-20.45, Sundays 07.10-21.15
Proposed ticket assistance hours: Weekdays 06.00-23.30, Saturdays 06.00-23.30, Sundays 06.00-23.00
Burgess Hill station
Current ticket office hours: Weekdays 06.10-19.35, Saturdays 06.40-20.05, Sundays 09.00-16.35
Proposed ticket assistance hours: Weekdays 05.15-01.15, Saturdays 05.15-01.15, Sundays 05.50-01.10
Wivelsfield station
Current ticket office hours: Weekdays 06.10-19.33, Saturdays 06.10-19.35, Sundays 09.10-16.45
Proposed ticket assistance hours: Weekdays 06.10-19.35, Saturdays 06.10-19.35, Sundays 09.10-16.45
For a full comparison of all current and proposed hours when ticketing would be available, please view the station by station consultation document here: Station Ticket Assistance Hours Information (3).pdf
Commenting, Mims Davies MP said:
I have made a submission to the consultation on behalf of my constituents- all those who have contacted me have deep concerns over the planned closure of ticket offices and the impact this will have. Many also had concerns about the fact they only had three weeks in which to respond. I therefore welcome the news the consultation has been extended and will now remain open until 1st September- it’s vital we get all voices in our area heard. I encourage any residents who have yet to respond to the consultation to have their say.