PLANS to scrap train station ticket offices across the country - including at Redditch railway station - have been scrapped.

The planned widespread closure of railway station ticket offices in England has been dropped after Transport Secretary Mark Harper said the Government has asked train operators to withdraw their proposals.

This is in response to watchdogs Transport Focus and London TravelWatch announcing they opposed every single planned closure due to issues such as the impact on accessibility.

Mr Harper said: “The consultation on ticket offices has now ended, with the Government making clear to the rail industry throughout the process that any resulting proposals must meet a high threshold of serving passengers.

“We have engaged with accessibility groups throughout this process and listened carefully to passengers as well as my colleagues in Parliament.

“The proposals that have resulted from this process do not meet the high thresholds set by ministers, and so the Government has asked train operators to withdraw their proposals.”

Plans to close the vast majority of station ticket offices in England were brought forward by train operators and their representative body, the Rail Delivery Group (RDG).

This followed pressure from the UK Government to save money amid the drop in revenue caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

A train operator source told the PA news agency: “There is quiet fury in the rail industry about where we’ve got to.

“The plan was signed off by civil servants and ministers. They’ve U-turned.”

The redevelopment of Redditch train station is set to take place with plans including a ticket office.

The plans include the construction of a new two-storey accessible station building including passenger waiting areas, toilets, a ticket office and a retail unit.