Andy Burnham is leading a group of five mayors who are taking legal action over the proposed closure of train station ticket offices.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester and Liverpool city region Mayor Steve Rotheram are two of the local mayors forming part of the campaign after the government-run Rail Delivery Group (RDG) unveiled plans last week to “bring station staff closer to customers” by moving them out of ticket offices and onto platforms and concourses instead.
Around three out of five train stations in England currently have a staffed ticket office, but all that could change moving forward with just under 1,000 of them earmarked to close – including at some of the UK’s busiest stations, such as Manchester Piccadilly.
In a letter penned to Transport Secretary Mark Harper to express his discontent at the proposed closures last week, the Greater Manchester Mayor also called for an “immediate suspension” to rail operator Northern‘s process.
ADVERTISEMENT
He then threatened that otherwise, he will “have no other option” but to consider legal action.
🗣️ "Passengers and staff have been taken aback by the scale of the proposed changes. To announce them without prior warning and head straight into a 21-day consultation period feels wholly inadequate to an issue of this seriousness."
— Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham (@MayorofGM) July 6, 2023
Now, it seems that that consideration has become a reality, as Mr Burnham has teamed up with four other regional mayors to take charge.
ADVERTISEMENT
As well as Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram, the other regional mayors forming part of the legal campaign group are the Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin, the Mayor of South Yorkshire Oliver Coppard, and the Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Dr Nik Johnson.
According to the group, the campaign will take action against Northern, Thameslink, LNER, TransPennine Express, Greater Anglia, Avanti, and EMR.
Andy Burnham is taking legal action over proposed rail ticket office closures / Credit: RDG
“For the good of the country, it’s a campaign we must win,” Mr Burnham wrote in the Daily Mirror today.
ADVERTISEMENT
“If the Government and the rail industry get their way, it will erode what remains of public trust in travelling by train, and hasten Britain towards a faceless, soulless society.
“We do not believe the train operators have taken the required steps in law to make a change on this scale and hear the voices of those most affected.
Together with other Mayors, I’m initiating legal action against the train operators and their 21-day “consultation” on ticket office closures.
We’ll explain more tomorrow about why we believe we have a strong case to get the current process stopped.https://t.co/NGvlKXYRdG
Mr Burnham said a 21-day consultation on the plans were not long enough to consider the full implication of the closures, adding that “those in charge” are on a mission to “run [railway stations] down” and “turn passengers away so they can just focus on the most profitable parts”.
“The rail operators may be fronting up these plans,” he concluded, “but make no mistake, the Government is standing behind them and handing over the axe.”
Featured Image – RDG
News
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Emily Sergeant -
18th July 2023 
