Bim Afolami MP, the Member of Parliament for Hitchin & Harpenden, has called on decision-makers to re-think plans to close ticket offices in his constituency.
The Member of Parliament’s intervention comes after Thameslink announced a consultation on new arrangements which would see Hitchin and Harpenden Stations have their ticket offices closed. It is not the first time that Mr Afolami has voiced his concern over the future of ticket offices, having written to the then Transport Secretary Grant Shapps MP in 2022 to raise concerns about rumours of planned closures.
Bim Afolami MP said,
“Local residents have told me about the impact that closing ticket offices in Hitchin, Harpenden and beyond would have on them. I am completely opposed to these plans. It is clear to me that this decision will have a detrimental impact on people in our constituency – particularly vulnerable adults and the elderly.
“I have made this clear to the rail companies in the strongest possible terms and I will ensure that Ministerial colleagues are aware of the strength of feeling on this issue.”
Residents can show their support for Bim’s position at https://www.bimafolami.co.uk/ticket-offices and respond to the consultation by emailing ticketoffice.GTR@transportfocus.org.uk by 1st September.
