Ticket office U-turn victory for passengers - Tracy Brabin

West Yorkshire's mayor has called the decision to scrap plans to close rail ticket offices a "victory" for passengers.

Tracy Brabin spoke out after the government asked train operators to withdraw the proposal saying it failed to meet high passenger standards.

The Labour mayor was among a number of politicians to welcome the move.

The Rail Delivery Group had said only 12% of tickets were bought at station kiosks.

Ms Brabin, who was one of five mayors who threatened to take legal action over the proposed changes, said: "[This] is a victory for rail passengers across the country.

"I'm glad the government have listened to mayors and the public, calling a U-turn on plans to shut down ticket offices.

"If we want our railways to be accessible and safe for everyone, station staff are essential."

A number of protests took place at railway station across Yorkshire and a national consultation attracted more than 750,000 responses.

Calderdale Council cabinet member Scott Patient was one of those who organised protests at Hebden Bridge.

"This is a victory for campaigners, unions and those who stood to be affected most, especially women and girls," the Labour councillor told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The authority's deputy leader Tim Swift also welcomed the decision.

"It was clear from the outcry that this was going to particularly impact people with disabilities, and discourage less frequent travellers from switching to rail," he said.

In Leeds, Labour councillor Jess Lennox, who represents Cross Gates, said opposition to the plan was also about public safety.

"Cross Gates has previously been a bad site for anti-social behaviour and dangerous incidents have been prevented by having staff on the platform," she said.

"Not everyone can use their smartphone to pay for tickets."

She said to keep the station accessible was a "real win".

Conservative councillor for Pudsey, Trish Smith, said she was "extremely pleased the lobbying to government has worked".

The decision has also been welcomed by Roberto-Weeden-Sanz, the Conservative parliamentary candidate for the North Yorkshire seat of Scarborough and Whitby, who said the office at Scarborough was "well-used".

"Scarborough's situation as a terminus and the fact our community has many elderly and less abled rail users means that it is important our ticket office remains open," he said.

Labour's candidate for the seat, Alison Hume, said it would be a "huge relief" the office had been saved.

The Rail Delivery Group has said: "While these plans won't now be taken forward, we will continue to look at other ways to improve passenger experience while delivering value for the taxpayer."

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