A PUBLIC consultation on plans to close nearly all railway station ticket offices in England is fast approaching its deadline.

The consultation was due to end on July 26, but the Rail Delivery Group has confirmed the consultation has been extended to September 1.

Train operators unveiled proposals earlier this month for mass closures of station ticket offices after Transport Secretary Mark Harper urged them to cut costs.

Consultation on the plans was announced on July 5 by the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which said staff would move out of ticket offices, adopting new “customer help” roles already in place on many parts of the railway.

The RDG said the proposals would mean more face-to-face support was available across the network to choose the cheapest tickets and advise on journey planning, as well as support those with accessibility needs.

The plans have drawn fierce criticism from groups representing passengers and the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT).

Concerns have also been raised by Wyre Forest residents over the threat of losing the ticket office at Kidderminster Railway Station.

Residents who want to comment on the proposed changes to ticket offices at stations can contact Transport Focus, the independent transport user watchdog, at TicketOffice.WMT@transportfocus.org.uk.

They can also write to Freepost: RTEH-XAGE-BYKZ, Transport Focus, PO Box 5594, Southend on Sea, SS1 9PZ.