AN Andover campaigner is encouraging residents to sign a petition to save local train ticket offices after rail firms announced plans for mass closures nationwide.

At the start of July, rail firms announced plans for the mass closure of England’s ticket offices to “modernise” the railway and save costs.

The proposals would see train operators shut down almost all of the 1,007 remaining offices, bar at the busiest stations, within three years.

These plans would likely affect the ticket office in Andover.

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In response to the news attitude of gratitude campaigner Manuela Wahnon has started a petition to stop the plans going ahead in a bid to save Andover's ticket office. 

Ms Wahnon said: "Having travelled extensively I have first-hand knowledge of how great and unique the staff are, here in Andover.

"In particular Chris Williams who was awarded his Attitude of Gratitude Award at a beautiful ceremony held at the station itself, it’s there for all passengers to see, as they go through the booking hall hanging on the wall occupying pride of place, alongside the plaque, when our beloved former MP Sir George Young opened this station.

"I have spent many an hour at the station tiding up outside and have seen the amount of time that our booking staff give to passengers. 

"Their knowledge cannot be bought it can only be dispensed."

Manuela has been out and about at the ticket office to get residents to sign the petition. 

She has told the Advertiser that she managed to get at least 72 signatures from residents so far.

She continued: "There are disabled passengers, parents with children, the older generation, plus those savvy enough to know, that going to the clerk with inside knowledge on trains and tickets, means they can save money.

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"Passengers that could use the machines still go to the windows because they prefer the personal touch and the knowledge that goes with the sale of the ticket, such as how long the waiting times are between trains and which platform the trains leave from at other stations.

"We used to have porters, we used to have toilets open at all times, we used to have a café up there, we used to have lots and lots more than we currently have.

"We must not lose our booking office and be left with machines. We simply must band together and fight this."

The consultation, led by Transport Focus, is open until Wednesday, July 26.