A campaign opposing the closure of two ticket offices has received cross-party support – including a letter from the Mayor of Watford.

Ticket offices at Watford High Street and Carpenders Park stations are under review after an announcement by Transport for London 51 ticket offices could close due to dwindling ticket sales.

Bushey station could also potentially see its operating hours reduced.

In response, the Elected Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor has written to London Overground operator Arriva London and Transport for London condemning the proposal - while Labour group leader, Nigel Bell had a motion to withdraw the cuts unanimously passed in a council meeting on October 16.

A statutory consultation was held between Arriva Rail London, London TravelWatch and rail industry bodies which concluded on October 11.

The future of 51 ticket offices across the north of London and others including Watford High Street and Carpenders Park are being evaluated because they fall below the Department for Transport’s “busy” threshold.

Offices must surpass 12 ticket sales per hour to remain viable.

A map of ticket offices proposed for closure

 

Liberal Democrat councillors Keith Martin and Andrew Scarth have set up a petition to save Carpenders Park station, while Labour councillors Stephen Cox, Joan King and Stephen King wrote to TravelWatch saying their proposal was “gobbledygook”.

Over 1,000 people have signed the petition.

Mr Taylor said: “It is so important that people using local train stations can actually speak with real station staff, face-to-face. They can provide vital help with ticket enquiries and greater safety at our stations.

“I am very concerned about the impact that removing ticket offices would have on our more vulnerable residents, for example people living with dementia.

“Research carried out by the Alzheimer’s Society shows that one of the biggest challenges for someone living with dementia is using public transport. They can find buying a ticket or using an Oyster difficult and may often need assistance from trained staff.

“This is a very short consultation, just three weeks long. Residents should have had longer to examine the plans and give responses to London Travelwatch. I urge them to reconsider this decision.”

TfL and Arriva London are yet to respond.

Cllr Bell said: “We have put forward this motion on behalf of many residents who have contacted us to express their concerns, not just for their own safety in using the Watford High Street station and Carpenders park station, but also for the safety of their disabled and elderly relatives and friends who would be stuck if a machine broke down and there was no member of staff on hand to help them making them more vulnerable.”

For more information about the petition, visit http://www.watfordlibdems.org/ticket_office_consultation

A list of the 51 stations under review