LOCAL politicians have welcomed news that plans to close railway ticket offices across the country have been scrapped. 

This means ticket offices in places like Whitehaven, Workington, and Carlisle - which had been threatened with closure following a Government consultation - will no longer close. 

The news, announced by the Transport Secretary Mark Harper yesterday, has been well received within the community as many people rely on the offices as their primary means of buying rail tickets. 

It had been feared the plans would have severely impacted elderly people and those who didn't use online ticket-purchasing services.

Cumberland councillor Emma Williamson said: "I'm really pleased to hear that the ticket office in Whitehaven won't close. It is really vital in our community, especially for older people who don't have access to digital devices. 

"I know that it is a key element to people being able to travel and I also know that the staff in there have been there a long time and are helpful.

"I use the ticket office myself because I have a pass and you have to go to the ticket office with a pass because you can't do it online.

"I was really worried for those who are vulnerable and those who don't have access to the internet.

"It's vital that we keep things like this open so they're inclusive for our communities."

Whitehaven councillor Edwin Dinsdale added: "It's brilliant news, I really welcome this decision. 

"This campaign has been going on for at least 12 months and a petition was run in September 2022. 

"I did put a post out on social media trying to encourage everyone locally to support this campaign and do everything they could to keep the Whitehaven ticket office open. 

"The actual petition at the time had a bit of a heat map on it and Whitehaven had really got behind what was going on.

"I would like to personally thank everyone in the town who has got behind this campaign because whatever has been done has made a significant difference to decision-making at a national level."