Scrapped plans to close railway ticket offices “should never have got this far” Bracknell Forest’s councillor in charge of transport has said.

Rail industry bosses had planned to close ticket offices at train stations across the country, and significantly reduce the hours at others, after coming under pressure from the government to cut costs.

But government transport secretary Mark Harper asked train operators to withdraw the proposals on Tuesday, October 31. Councillor Guy Gillbe, responsible for transport at Bracknell Forest, said he was “heartened” by the apparent U-turn.

The Rail Delivery Group – the body representing train companies – had defended the plans, arguing that ticket machines and online purchasing meant it made sense to cut back on in-person ticket offices.

But passenger groups, trade unions and some local councils said this could make travel harder for people who struggle to use the internet or ticket machines. They also said that stations could become more unsafe when staff aren’t around.

READ MORE: Stations unstaffed for entire days if ticket office closures go ahead

Mr Harper announced he would ask train companies to withdraw their proposals after 99 per cent of the 750,000 responses to a consultation objected.

Councillor Gillbe said the Labour group in charge of Bracknell Forest Council “welcomes the government’s move to scrap the closure of rail ticket offices.”

He said: “It was ill-conceived from the beginning, imperilling equal access for all. A scheme that makes it more difficult for all groups to access rail tickets, to get travel advice and information at stations, and for disabled passengers to get assistance, should never have got this far.

“We are heartened that the government has at last recognised this, and we are grateful to all the residents in Bracknell Forest who took part in its consultation. I would also like to thank all the residents and councillors who took public action against this.”