Plans to close Didcot Parkway’s ticket office have been scrapped in what has been called a “triumph of humans against the machines.”

Great Western Railway had launched a consultation on plans to move staff from behind ticket office windows to help customers elsewhere in the station.

It was part of widespread plans by train operators to close railway ticket offices across England.

READ MORE: Oxfordshire flood warnings issued due to Storm Ciaran

But the Government has now asked train operators to withdraw their proposals.

Oxford Mail: Mocky Khan said the decision was a triumph of humans against the machines.”Mocky Khan said the decision was a triumph of humans against the machines.” (Image: Mocky Khan)

Didcot councillor Mocky Khan, who regularly uses the station to travel to London, welcomed the decision as “great news.”

“It’s been clear since it was announced that people want to be able to access the ticket office,” he said.

“It provides that human interaction.

“Relying on machinery doesn’t always work. Those working at the Didcot ticket offices are very friendly and willing to help.

“When the consultation was announced, people stood up and took notice and started saying that this wasn’t right.

“There are some in the younger generation who are happy to use their phones or the machinery, but the older generation need that interaction.

“There’s also been a lot said about loneliness after the Covid pandemic and human interaction at a ticket office helps in the same way as going to your local shop.

“It is a triumph of humans against the machines.”

Oxford Mail: Olly Glover has started a petition against the potential ticket office closure at Didcot Parkway

There was widespread backlash when the consultation was announced, with hundreds of people signing a petition against the closure started by Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate Olly Glover.

READ MORE: Flood fears over Merton College's 540-home plan near Oxford

Mr Glover said: "I am delighted that the very poorly-thought through proposals to close ticket offices at Didcot Parkway and Cholsey have been scrapped.

“Our local Liberal Democrat petition against the closures received hundreds of signatures, and many residents have raised concerns about the proposals, commenting on how helpful they find ticket office staff.

“The Conservative government now needs to focus on improving the affordability and reliability of our railway network, rather than cost-cutting."

Oxford Mail:

Oxford Mail:

The Government decision comes after watchdogs Transport Focus and London TravelWatch announced they opposed every single planned closure due to issues such as accessibility.

A Great Western Railway spokesperson said: “Our proposals were designed to balance the need to improve the experience for all our customers and reduce the cost of the industry to the taxpayer – and we developed our plans further during the consultation process.

“Transport Focus has recognised that the majority of GWR’s plans met the standards they set to evaluate whether they represent an improvement for customers.

“However, we recognise both passenger bodies have unresolved concerns in some areas that would require national policy decisions.

“We will take now some time to work with the Department for Transport to understand the next steps.”