Protesters in Lymington support RMT Union’s bid to keep railway ticket office open in face of planned Railway Delivery Group cuts.

Protesters will gather at Lymington Town Train Station this weekend to voice their anger over plans to close the site’s ticket office.

Jon Ellis, of Lymington’s Bottom of Town Group, is organising the gathering, which will begin at 11am on Sunday 23rd July.

Earlier this month the Railway Delivery Group (RDG) outlined plans to close rail ticket offices nationwide, including at Brockenhurst, Christchurch, Hinton Admiral, Lymington Town, New Milton, Sway and Totton.

Lymington Pier and Ashurst New Forest stations are currently unstaffed and will remain so. RDG says it has earmarked ticket booths for closure amid declining sales and an increase in people using ticket machines and buying online.

Before Lymington ticket office closes for good, there are plans to cut its operating hours from 44 per week to just 20.

Mr Ellis said he is organising a protest against the planned cutback and eventual closure of the office because of the impact it will have on travellers with special needs, and the elderly in particular.

Speaking to the A&T, Mr Ellis said: “The Bottom of Town Group in Lymington urges concerned citizens to gather for a short protest meeting at the town station forecourt this Sunday at 11am.

“We believe the planned ticket office reduction from 44 hours to 20 hours weekly will have a seriously adverse effect on the most vulnerable sections of the travelling public, namely older folk and those with disabilities.

“We call for the ticket office to remain open and for staff attendance in the future to be no less than 44 hours per week.

“Lymington is a busy station – and needs to become even more busy – to get more people out of their cars and onto trains.”

Mr Ellis argues that Brockenhurst and New Milton stations need to retain their ticket offices for the same reasons, and urged councillors and other local groups to attend this weekend’s protest.

The RMT union is currently organising petitions against the nationwide proposed cutbacks.

Mr Ellis added: “We encourage people to respond to the online consultation which South Western Railway is closing on 26th July, to sign online petitions and the RMT’s petition at the station to oppose the closure of the ticket office at Lymington Town and other local stations.

“We further urge people to contact their MPs to urge them to oppose the closures and cuts.”