Plans have been announced to permanently close the "majority" of railway ticket offices across England - including facilities at Crewe Railway Station.

On Wednesday 5 July, the government announced proposals to close nearly every railway station ticket office across England - with Crewe included.

Under these plans, hundreds of English railway station ticket offices will close over the next three years.

Under government proposals, Crewe Railway Station's ticket office would permanently close down (Ryan Parker).

For Crewe, it means the station's ticket office would permanently close down.

Ticketing support across the station would be available from 6:30am to to 7:00pm (Monday to Saturday) and 7:00am to 7:00pm (Sunday).

The station's overall staffed hours are planned to remain the same (3:30am until 1:30am).

A 21-day public consultation has now been launched to collect passengers' views for each station.

Posters have gone up in stations, inviting the public to take part, after which the government will make the final decision on which offices will close.

Crewe Railway Station's overall staffed hours are planned to remain the same (3:30am until 1:30am) (Avanti West Coast).

Sub-national English transport body, Transport for the North, says it is "concerned" with the government's latest announcement.

A Transport for the North spokesperson said: "We understand that the way people buy tickets is changing and that there needs to be reform.

"However, this should be done in a holistic way, considering the needs of all station users and local communities.

"We are concerned that the focus on ticket office staffing in isolation of wider investment (for example pay as you go ticketing) could lead to disadvantaging certain passengers and communities.

"We will be working with our partners on a robust response to the consultation using local evidence and knowledge.

Ticketing support across Crewe Railway Station would be available from 6:30am to to 7:00pm (Monday to Saturday) and 7:00am to 7:00pm (Sunday) (Ryan Parker).

"Patronage growth on the railways in the North is strong, albeit people are choosing to travel at different times for different purposes.

"Done correctly, we can ensure that reform supports growth and the needs of all passengers.

"But it must not be to the disadvantage of any station users, especially in regards to accessibility and safety." 

According to Rail Delivery Group (RDG), Only 12% of railway tickets were sold at ticket offices in 2022 - with the rest bought online or from vending machines.

A 21-day public consultation has now been launched to collect passengers' views for each station (Ryan Parker).

Under new proposals, If a passenger was unable to purchase a ticket at a station, they would be able to buy one during the journey, at a ticket office en-route or at their destination.

To take part in the consultation click HERE.

READ MORE: Crewe Town Board launches recruitment drive as chairman steps down.

Free from clickbait, pop-up ads and unwanted surveys, Crewe Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our town.

Subscribe to our FREE weekly newsletter email HERE - just click the 'SIGN UP' button.

Please consider following Crewe Nub News on Facebook or Twitter.