Plans to scrap railway station ticket offices has been overturned in a government U-turn. 

Ticket offices including that of Kingston, Berrylands, Chessington, New Malden, Norbiton, Surbiton and Tolworth were part of the proposed closures.

Over 750,000 responses from individuals and organisations were sent to transportwatchdogs, TravelWatch and Transport Focus, during the consultation period. Around 99% of responses sent to London TravelWatch were objections.

Micchael Roberts, Chief Executive of London TravelWatch, said: "The idea of closing ticket offices to locate staff nearer to the passengers may sound attractive, but it has proved highly controversial with the public… [and] many express[ed] powerful and passionate concerns about the plans.

"The three big issues for the public arising from the consultation were how to buy tickets in future, how to get travel advice and information at stations, and how Disabled passengers can get assistance when they need it.

"Despite improving on their original proposals, we don't think the train companies have gone far enough to meet our concerns and those of the public. We cannot say with confidence that these proposals would improve things for passengers and that is why we have objected to all 269 ticket office closures."

London TravelWatch considered proposals at each station against six factors. Some of our concerns were specific to individual stations, others were common across all the proposals.

Among the key concerns for London TravelWatch were:

• in many cases, future staffing levels (e.g. the reduction of staff) would not deliver improved quality of service for passengers
• some cases, future levels of access to the range of fares and tickets which can be bought today at a ticket office would not be enough at some stations for alternatives. 
• in all cases, the lack of evidence about the cost effectiveness of the proposals. 
• in all cases, the impact of the proposals on accessibility.  

Many respondents to the consultations, especially Disabled passengers, had concerns about how they would find staff for assistance at stations where a ticket office had been closed.

Companies have since come forward with a proposal to introduce "Welcome Points" at stations, but these were not explained as part of the consultation. 

Travel Watchdogs believe there needs to be further engagement in particular with Disabled people and representative groups on the concept, design and implementation of this idea

Train companies now have the option to reconsider their proposals or to appeal London TravelWatch objections to the Secretary of State for Transport