Planned closure of ticket offices at 51 Overground stations

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Message Content:Consultation on Arriva Rail London (ARL) and Transport for London (TfL) plans to close ticket offices at 51 London Overground stations. I understand that Arriva Rail London and TFL are planning to close ticket offices in a number of stations. I welcome this opportunity to express my views on whether I would like these ticket offices to remain open or not. I oppose the proposed closure of ticket offices at Acton Central, Anerley, Brondesbury, Brondesbury Park, Bruce Grove, Bush Hill Park, Caledonian Road & Barnsbury, Camden Road, Canonbury, Carpenders Park, Clapton, Dalston Kingsland, Dalston Junction, Finchley Road & Frognal, Gospel Oak, Hackney Central, Hackney Downs, Hackney Wick, Haggerston, Hampstead Heath, Hatch End, Headstone Lane, Homerton, Honor Oak Park, Hoxton, Imperial Wharf, Kensal Rise, Kensington (Olympia), Kentish Town West, Kilburn High Road, Penge West, Rectory Road, Rotherhithe, Shadwell, Shepherds Bush, Shoreditch High Street, Silver Street, South Acton, South Hampstead, Southbury, St James Street, Stamford Hill, Stoke Newington, Surrey Quays, Theobalds Grove, Turkey Street, Wapping, Watford High Street, West Hampstead, White Hart Lane and Wood Street. I believe these are damaging and detrimental cuts and that there is still a clear need for staffed ticket offices at stations. Industry research shows that a clear majority of passengers still prefer to buy from the ticket office rather than from a ticket machine. Replacing staffed ticket offices with ticket machines, or mobile staff expected to sell tickets on platforms, will undoubtedly limit the quality and range of services available to passengers. If these changes go ahead I believe that I • would not be able to access all the tickets and services needed from a ticket machine; • would find it harder to obtain advice on tickets and fares without a staffed office; • would be concerned that there were insufficient numbers of ticket machines (due to them being in high demand or faulty); • would experience more delays and concourse congestion; • and others who are disabled, elderly and vulnerable may be less confident using a ticket machine and could end up overspending or being deterred from travelling; and • that by leaving stations understaffed and sometimes unstaffed it will make it harder to provide a safe and secure environment — especially with CCTV left unmonitored. Please take my concerns into consideration when considering this statutory consultation.