Following widespread difficulties with the consultation process, Stephen Morgan MP wants to hear the concerns of Portsmouth people who are impacted by the rail ticket office closures.
Mr Morgan is inviting constituents to attend an online meeting on Thursday 10 August at 4pm. Any Portsmouth South constituent can attend and should inform the constituency office if they would like to do so by emailing stephen.morgan.mp@parliament.uk
Earlier this month it was confirmed that the government plans to shut down almost all remaining ticket offices in England. This includes all stations in Mr Morgan’s constituency with Portsmouth and Southsea, Fratton, and Portsmouth Harbour affected.
The call for feedback follows the city MP’s efforts in Parliament urging a re-think of plans. Mr Morgan has been asking questions in the House of Commons, has written to the Transport Secretary and has been lobbying the rail companies.
Along with fears surrounding the lack of digital ticket alternatives, reduction in ticket types and accessibility issues, there have been major worries that the rushed consultation process does not properly consider the voices of passengers who may struggle with digital tickets, or railway staff who may be affected.
Despite the decision impacting over 150 million rail journeys, concerningly the consultation period in which passengers can respond is just 21 days, hence the Portsmouth South representative’s latest intervention.
Mr Morgan is calling for the consultation period to be extended and the accessibility of the consultation formats to be significantly improved.
It comes as analysis reveals 23% of disabled adults and 6% of non-disabled adults are unable to use the internet and just 3% of blind people can use ticket machines without issues.
Commenting on the issue, the Portsmouth South’s Stephen Morgan MP, said:
“The short length of this consultation shows the lack of consideration from the government of the impact of this decision on the public.
“Rather than genuinely consider any alternative perspectives or feedback, the consultation appears to be merely a rubber stamp to conceal a predetermined decision.
“That’s why I am hosting an online meeting to allow constituents to voice their concerns and enable me to continue to represent their views in Parliament.”
Louise Haigh MP, Shadow Transport Secretary also commented:
“Railroading this botched plan through in just 21 days, without consideration for staff and disabled passengers, only risks exacerbating the managed decline of the rail network.
“Ministers should stop dodging accountability, halt this sham consultation, and come clean on the damage these closures will do.”
Mr Morgan continues to lobby the Secretary of State for Transport and South Western Railway over the decision to close ticket offices in the constituency, and the lack of consideration that has been given to all staff and passengers impacted by the closures.
