THE Maltings main theatre was packed at 5pm on Friday, with trade unionists and community groups coming together with one voice, opposing the proposed ticket office closure in Berwick-upon-Tweed.

Leaflets, campaign postcards and petitions are to be found in the local shops, cafes and pubs.

The letters pages of the local newspapers are filled with letters of opposition. 

Speakers included Sarah Roelofs from North East Disabled People Against Cuts, Georgina Hill; Independent councillor Berwick East; Jess Leather, RMT women’s committee; John Kay retired RMT branch secretary and local campaigner; RMT general secretary Mick Lynch; and Jamie Driscoll independent Mayor, North of Tyne Authority.

Ian Lavery MP was also able to join the speakers later in the meeting. Time was given for a number of questions from the floor too, engaging the audience well in the campaign.

Speaker after speaker highlighted the consequences of the Rail Delivery Group’s plans — discouraging rail travel; unsafe stations and impact on passengers and staff particularly during travel disruption; no accessible formats for the consultation; disproportionate impact of ticket office closures on the elderly, disabled people and families travelling with young children; job losses across the rail network; and a negative impact on economic recovery post Covid.

As Mick Lynch reminded the rally, railway workers worked throughout the Covid pandemic — essential workers then, but not now?

The human interface in our rail network is essential, and those pursuing private profit do not value that at all. 

Sara Roelofs challenged LNER forcibly on its claim to “take accessibility seriously” as the proposal to move staff out of the ticket offices onto platforms will make it simply impossible for passengers to find the staff.

Jess Leather from RMT women’s committee stressed the impact of these cuts on women passengers, and highlighted the weaknesses of the online Trainline ticketing, with no human interface, services get worse.

Jamie Driscoll outlined the integrated transport plans that were at the heart of his bid in the forthcoming North East mayor elections, and highlighted the widespread public support for public ownership of our essential utilities.

There are a number of legal challenges now coming forward on the Rail Delivery Group proposals. 

There was no doubt that the community and the trade unions working together are making a powerful campaign.

The mood at the Berwick meeting was determined. There was complete agreement that the railway networks depend on human interaction, and comments from the audience reinforced positive experiences from passengers with the local rail staff. 

The RMT was commended for all the joint work so far, and there is ongoing support for the RMT in its industrial action too. 

This ticket office is managed by LNER, but the closure proposal is part of the Rail Delivery Group’s plan to close up to 1,000 ticket offices across 13 train operating companies.

This affects every one of us. Please take time to respond to the consultation by Wednesday July 26 — this is urgent — write to Transport Focus and London TravelWatch today.