Plans to close railway ticket offices across England have been scrapped.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper said the Government asked train operators to withdraw proposals because they failed to meet high passenger standards.
The proposal was put forward by rail operators to save money but they came under fire from unions, rail user groups and disability groups.
This morning, in a sensational U-turn, the Government said it had scrapped those plans.
Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, said he was delighted at the news.
Mr Farron, who led a debate in Parliament on this issue earlier this month, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that these awful plans have been defeated, and our vital local ticket offices have been saved.
“Ticket offices are a lifeline for elderly and disabled people, as well as the many hundreds of thousands of people who visit Cumbria by train every year.
“I’m massively grateful to everyone who campaigned against these appalling proposals, including disability campaigners, the RMT and to everyone who signed the petition I presented to Parliament last month.”
Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and the Border, said: “Our Government is absolutely on track to securing a more sustainable future for our nation’s great rail infrastructure.
“Thanks to Conservative Government intervention, Penrith, Appleby and Carlisle ticket offices have all been saved. This is a tremendous win for rural communities like ours where digital connectivity challenges can hamper consumers trying to buy tickets online or by phone.
“Moreover, I have found throughout the process that older people and those with disabilities rely far more heavily on a personal service when travelling by rail, so no doubt there will be much delight throughout these demographics.
“I have said consistently that we must make it as easy as possible for passengers across the country to travel on our railways as we transition to a lower carbon economy.
“So I thank ministers who have listened to me on this and the wealth of feeling throughout the nation and told rail operators clearly that any changes to services must meet the high threshold set by Government, which this proposal clearly did not.”
Carlisle MP John Stevenson said: “A number of constituents have raised concerns with me regarding the potential closure of the ticket office in Carlisle.
“Whilst I am always conscious that in some circumstances there can be a need for change, I was very aware in this instance that older people and people with disabilities were genuinely concerned that ticket office closures could be a barrier to rail travel for them.
“I am delighted that, following representations from MPs and outside bodies, the plan to close ticket offices has been halted.”
