Campaigners and residents are calling for train station ticket offices in Royston and South Cambs to be saved from closure.

Train companies have launched a three-week consultation on the proposed closures, which include ticket offices at stations in Ashwell and Morden, Meldreth, Royston, Shelford and Whittlesford.

Following the consultation, Secretary of State for Transport Mark Harper MP will have the final say.

Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for South Cambs Pippa Heylings has launched a petition calling for the proposals - which she described as "rushed" - to be scrapped, and for ticket offices to be saved.

Pippa says "These closures, forced by the Government, are supposed to 'modernise' the railway - but the truth is these short-sighted changes will be disastrous for everyone who depends on our railway ticket offices.

"After launching my campaign, I heard from so many concerned people who tell me they feel discriminated against by these closures because they depend on local ticket offices, including residents who are severely sight-impaired or don’t have access to the internet or smart phones. 

"I also heard about the hugely valued service provided in Shelford station by Angela the ticket office clerk.

"Angela won a national customer service award, nominated by local people, for this service to the community.

"Given our complicated fare structure, buying from the ticket office can be the best way to find out the cheapest fare. 

"Ticket offices are a lifeline for so many passengers, particularly those who are elderly or disabled. The decision to scrap them seems very short sighted and all about cutting costs."

The deadline for responding to the petition is Wednesday, July 26, which coincides with the end of the government consultation.

Antony Moore, chief executive officer at low vision and blindness charity Cam Sight, said: "The consultation is open for only 21 days, which is far too short – we would expect the consultation to last at least 12 weeks, in line with principles of good consultation.

"As the leading charity in Cambridgeshire supporting blind and visually impaired individuals, we are concerned that people will be left to access travel tickets online, and transport apps and websites are often inaccessible for blind and partially sighted people so are not a viable alternative."  

Research showed that 76 per cent of people with sight loss said they would prefer to buy tickets at an office.

Conservative South Cambs MP Anthony Browne emphasised the need for ticket machines to offer the same services as ticket offices.

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He said: "I fully understand the concern of passengers about the closure of ticket offices planned by the train companies, and what it means for themselves, or well-loved station staff.

"It is inevitable that as more and more people buy train tickets from machines, online or on their phones, the need for ticket offices reduces.

"But it would be unacceptable for train companies to close offices if this would limit the access that passengers have to the best fares.

"They must ensure that ticket machines and online apps offer the same tickets, prices and services that would have been available at the ticket office.

"Wherever possible, staff should be retained and deployed on the platform, directly speaking to and helping customers, particularly those who have difficulty using the ticket machines or don’t have internet access.

"Where that is not possible staff should have the option of redeployment to another site."