Plans to close hundreds of rail ticket offices in England, including stations throughout Richmond, Twickenham and Teddington have been scrapped in a government U-turn.

On Tuesday 31 October, the transport secretary, Mark Harper, said the government had "asked train operators to withdraw their proposals".

The proposals would have seen stations placed into one of four categories with stations that fell into categories two and below seeing station staff dramatically reduced or removed.

Most stations through the borough, including Barnes, Mortlake, St Margarets, Strawberry Hill, Teddington, Whitton and Fulwell, will be in Category 3, meaning that they would have had just one person manning the building for a few hours, and even this cover would have been removed on some days.

London Travelwatch said that London TravelWatch and Transport Focus received more than 750,000 responses from individuals and organisations combined during the consultation period.

99 per cent of these responses were objections, according to the passenger watchdogs.

Michael Roberts, Chief Executive of London TravelWatch, said: "The way many passengers buy tickets is changing and so we understand the need to move with the times.

"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.

He added: "Together with Transport Focus, we received 750,000 responses from individuals and organisations to the consultation, many expressing 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.

"London TravelWatch has heard these views loud and clear, and would like to thank all those who took the time to take part."

Members of the community at the protest at Mortlake Station. (Photo Credit: Cllr Julia Cambridge).

A protest, at Mortlake Station in August, organised by local disability charity Ruils, alongside Cllr Julia Cambridge, highlighted how these proposals could have made access to travel difficult for people, specifically older people or those with disabilities.

In a statement posted on X (formerly known as Twitter), local disability charity Ruils said that they were thrilled to hear that proposals had been rejected.

Cllr Julia Cambridge, for East Sheen, who helped to organise the protest back in August told Nub News: "In August the community, along with charities fighting for disabled travellers, stood together against ticket office closures across Richmond Borough.

"I'm delighted so many responded to London TravelWatch's consultation.

"Todays news that LTW have opposed all ticket office closures is a massive victory for the 99% for called for this. We now call on the Government to stick by its belated promise to shelve these disastrous plans and for the rail companies to also listen."

Sarah Olney, MP for Richmond Park told Nub News: "It's fantastic to see the Government finally listening to our communities, but these plans should never have made it to consultation.

Sarah Olney at the Mortlake protest in August (Photo Credit: Sarah Olney).

"Even the most cursory glance of the proposals could tell you operators didn't consider how badly they would hit disabled people and vulnerable travellers.

She added: "While we've seen rail service degrade rapidly over the last few years, the staff at stations have been incredibly impressive, helping people get to where they need to go despite incredibly difficult conditions. Removing them would have turned a bad situation into a catastrophe.

"I'm so proud we could keep Mortlake Ticket Office open and staff on the networks. It's a huge win for the community and everyone who relies on the rails in Richmond Park.

Munira Wilson, MP for Twickenham posted a statement on social media saying that the U-turn was very welcome.