Plans to close railway ticket offices across England have been scrapped.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper said the Government asked train operators to withdraw proposals because they failed to meet high passenger standards.
The proposal was put forward by rail operators to save money but they came under fire from unions, rail user groups and disability groups.
This morning, in a sensational U-turn, the Government said it had scrapped those plans.
Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and the Border, said: “Our Government is absolutely on track to securing a more sustainable future for our nation’s great rail infrastructure.
“Thanks to Conservative Government intervention, Penrith, Appleby and Carlisle ticket offices have all been saved. This is a tremendous win for rural communities like ours where digital connectivity challenges can hamper consumers trying to buy tickets online or by phone.
“Moreover, I have found throughout the process that older people and those with disabilities rely far more heavily on a personal service when travelling by rail, so no doubt there will be much delight throughout these demographics.
“I have said consistently that we must make it as easy as possible for passengers across the country to travel on our railways as we transition to a lower carbon economy. So I thank Ministers who have listened to me on this and the wealth of feeling throughout the nation and told rail operators clearly that any changes to services must meet the high threshold set by Government, which this proposal clearly did not.”
