Birmingham New Street ticket office closure plans unveiled along with 71 other train stations

Plans to close the vast majority of rail ticket offices across the nation have prompted an outcry from passengers who say they are a vital part of train services - with West Midlands Rail Executive among those opposing the plans in and around Birmingham.

West Midlands Railway, Chiltern Railway and Avanti West Coast have all announced proposals to shut ticket offices they manage, but ticket offices in the region run by Transport for Wales are not affected.

The public consultation into the proposals closes on Friday (September 1). People are being asked to submit their views to the individual rail companies who are proposing the closures. You can see which company manages each rail ticket office under threat of closure in our list below. The emails to submit your points of view for the public consultation are at the end of the story.

Of particular concern is Avanti West Coast’s proposals to close the ticket office at Birmingham New Street which is currently open seven days a week - from 5.15am to 11pm Monday to Saturday. WMRE has issued a formal objection to these plans, which would see 67 other rail ticket offices close in the West Midlands.

Chiltern Railway also plans to close the ticket office at Moor Street and West Midlands Railway has proposed to turn Birmingham Snow Hill into a Customer Information Centre which would only be staffed three days a week instead of seven days a week, like it is currently.

Campaigners say: “The proposed closure of rail ticket offices will have a devastating impact on blind and partially sighted people’s ability to travel independently: stopping people getting to work, health appointments, and seeing friends.

“Ticket offices are not just about selling tickets. They provide a reliable first point of contact for many kinds of staff assistance such as arranging sighted guidance through the station and safely on to the train, to advising on any changes to journeys.

“Modernisation of our railways doesn’t just mean apps and touchscreens; modernisation means inclusivity and not leaving anyone behind. These proposals must be scrapped.”

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMRE Chair, said: “While WMRE and TfWM are supportive in principle of the need to modernise rail ticketing there are too many concerns unanswered in these proposals for us to support them as they currently are. Any changes to ticketing must be for the benefit of passengers but both WMRE and TfWM believe there is insufficient information in these proposals to satisfy that crucial requirement.”

Here are the plans for each West Midlands rail ticket office under threat of closure

Birmingham New Street - closure of ticket office proposed by Avanti West Coast - Ticket office currently open:

• Monday to Saturday: 5.15 to 23:00
• Sunday: 7:00 to 23:00

Staffing hours to remain unchanged if ticket office closes, these are 5.30 to 10.55pm Monday to Saturday and 8am to 9pm on Sunday

Birmingham International - closure of ticket office proposed by Avanti West Coast - Ticket office currently open:

• Monday to Friday: 5.40 to 21:00
• Saturday: 6.15 to 21:00
• Sunday: 8.15am to 21:00

Staffing hours to remain unchanged if ticket office closes, these are 5.30am to 2am Monday to Saturday; 7.30am to 2am on Sunday

Birmingham Snow Hill - station to become a new West Midlands Railway Customer Information Centre - Staff would be available throughout the week to assist with ticket purchases, as well as customer service, passenger assistance and general upkeep duties. Customers would still have access to the same station facilities they do currently. The ticket office is currently open:

• Monday to Thursday: 06:00 - 21:00
• Friday: 06:00 - 23:00
• Saturday: 07:00 - 23:00
• Sunday: 08:00 - 20:00

The proposed staff hours to cover if changes go ahead are:

• Monday to Friday 6am to 11.30pm
• Saturday 6am to 11.30pm
• Sunday 6am to 11.30pm

Birmingham Moor Street - closure of ticket office proposed by Chiltern Railway - No details on current opening hours of the ticket office have been supplied

Acocks Green - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway Ticket office currently open:

• Monday to Thursday: 7:00 to 16:00
• Friday: 7:00 to 18:00
• Saturday: 8:00 to 16:00

Adderley Park - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - Ticket office currently open:

• Monday: Closed
• Tuesday to Thursday: 07:00 - 12:00
• Friday: 07:00 - 10:00
• Saturday: 12:00 - 14:00
• Sunday: 09:00 - 14:00

Aston  - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - Ticket office currently open from:

• Monday: 07:00 - 10:30, 12:00 - 18:00
• Tuesday to Thursday: 07:00 - 11:00, 12:00 - 18:00
• Friday: 07:00 - 11:00, 15:00 - 18:00
• Saturday: 11:00 - 15:00
• Sunday: Closed

Bescot Stadium - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway -Ticket office currently open from:

• Monday: 07:00 - 09:00
• Tuesday to Thursday: Closed
• Friday: 09:00 - 11:00
• Saturday: 10:00 - 15:00, 17:00 - 19:00
• Sunday: No

Blake Street - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday: 06:00 - 16:00
• Tuesday to Thursday: 07:00 - 14:00
• Friday: 07:00 - 14:00, 16:00 - 19:00
• Saturday: 07:00 - 18:00
• Sunday: 09:00 - 15:00

Bournville - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway -This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Friday: 06:00 - 20:00
• Saturday: 08:00 - 20:00
• Sunday: 09:00 - 16:00

Bromsgrove  - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Friday: 06:00 - 19:15
• Saturday: 06:30 - 19:15
• Sunday: Closed

Butlers Lane - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday: 07:00 - 13:00, 15:00 - 17:00
• Tuesday to Thursday: 07:00 - 13:00
• Friday: 07:00 - 21:00
• Saturday: 08:00 - 19:00
• Sunday: 11:00 - 15:00

Canley  - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday: 07:00 - 13:00, 15:00 - 18:00
• Tuesday to Thursday: 07:00 - 12:00
• Friday: 07:00 - 19:00
• Saturday: 08:00 - 16:00
• Sunday: 10:00 - 12:00

Chester Road  - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Thursday: 06:00 - 19:00
• Friday: 07:00 - 20:00
• Saturday: 08:00 - 20:00
• Sunday: 09:00 - 16:00

Coleshill Parkway - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Friday: 06:00 - 22:45
• Saturday: 06:00 - 22:45
• Sunday: 10:00 - 17:00

Coseley - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday: 06:15 - 16:00
• Tuesday to Thursday: 06:15 - 14:00, 16:00 - 19:00
• Friday: 06:15 - 19:00
• Saturday: 07:00 - 20:00
• Sunday: 09:00 - 14:00

Coventry - closure of ticket office proposed by Avanti West Coast -Ticket office is currently open

• Monday to Friday: 5.15 - 21:30
• Saturday: 5:30 - 20:45
• Sunday: 7:30 - 21: 30

Cradley Heath - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Friday: 06:00 - 20:00
• Saturday: 07:00 - 20:00
• Sunday: 09:15 - 18:00

Dorridge - closure of ticket office proposed by Children Railway - No details on current opening hours of the ticket office have been supplied

Droitwich Spa - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Thursday: 07:00 - 18:00
• Friday: 07:00 - 19:00
• Saturday: 08:00 - 15:00
• Sunday: Closed

Duddeston - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Friday: 08:00 - 10:00
• Saturday to Sunday: Closed

Dudley Port - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Friday: 06:15 - 20:00
• Saturday: 07:00 - 20:00
• Sunday: 09:00 - 17:00

Erdington - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Friday: 06:00 - 20:00
• Saturday: 08:00 - 20:00
• Sunday: 09:25 - 16:00

Five Ways - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Friday: 07:00 - 20:00
• Saturday: 08:00 - 18:00
• Sunday: 10:00 - 16:00

Four Oaks - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Friday: 06:00 - 20:00
• Saturday: 07:00 - 20:00
• Sunday: 09:00 - 16:00

Gravelly Hill - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Friday: 06:00 - 20:00
• Saturday: 07:00 - 20:00
• Sunday: 08:00 - 16:00

Great Malvern - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Friday: 06:00 - 17:00
• Saturday: 07:00 - 14:00
• Sunday: Closed

Hagley - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Friday: 07:00 - 16:00
• Saturday: 08:00 - 15:00
• Sunday: Closed

Hall Green - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Thursday: 06:25 - 14:00
• Friday: 06:25 - 19:00
• Saturday: 08:00 - 17:00
• Sunday: Closed

Hamstead - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Thursday: 06:00 - 13:00
• Friday: 07:00 - 13:00, 15:00 - 17:00
• Saturday: 09:00 - 16:00
• Sunday: Closed

Hampton-in-Arden - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Friday: 07:00 - 10:00
• Saturday: 09:00 - 14:00
• Sunday: Closed

Jewellery Quarter - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Thursday: Closed
• Friday: 16:00 - 18:00
• Saturday: 11:00 - 13:00, 15:00 - 17:00
• Sunday: Closed

Kidderminster - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Friday: 06:10 - 19:00
• Saturday: 07:00 - 18:00
• Sunday: 09:00 - 17:00

Langley Green - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Thursday: 07:00 - 09:00
• Friday: 07:00 - 11:00
• Saturday: 09:00 - 14:00
• Sunday: Closed

Lea Hall - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Thursday: 06:15 - 18:00
• Friday: 06:00 - 19:00
• Saturday: 07:00 - 19:00
• Sunday: 10:00 - 13:00

Lichfield City - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Thursday: 06:00 - 19:00
• Friday: 06:00 - 20:00
• Saturday: 07:00 - 20:00
• Sunday: 09:00 - 19:00

Lichfield Trent Valley - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Friday: 06:00 - 19:00
• Saturday: 07:00 - 16:00
• Sunday: Closed

Longbridge - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Friday: 06:00 - 20:00
• Saturday: 07:00 - 20:00
• Sunday: 09:30 - 15:00

Malvern Link - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Thursday: 06:30 - 13:00
• Friday: 06:30 - 18:00
• Saturday: 08:00 - 14:00
• Sunday: Closed

Marston Green - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Thursday: 06:15 - 19:00
• Friday: 06:15 - 20:00
• Saturday: 08:00 - 20:00
• Sunday: 09:00 - 14:00

Northfield - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Friday: 06:00 - 20:00
• Saturday: 07:00 - 21:00
• Sunday: 09:20 - 16:00

Nuneaton -  station to become a new West Midlands Railway Customer Information Centre, meaning staff will be available throughout the week to assist with ticket purchases, as well as customer service, passenger assistance, safety and general upkeep duties. The current open hours are:

• Monday to Friday: 06:00 - 20:00
• Saturday: 06:00 - 20:00
• Sunday: 09:00 - 21:00

The hours that staff will be available if the ticket office becomes a Customer Information Centre as follows:

• Monday to Friday: 06:00 – 23:30
• Saturday: 06:00 – 23:30
• Sunday: 06:00 – 23:30

Old Hill - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Friday: 07:00 - 11:00
• Saturday: 09:00 - 16:00
• Sunday: Closed

Olton - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday: 07:00 - 15:00
• Tuesday to Thursday: 07:00 - 13:00, 17:00 - 19:00
• Friday: 07:00 - 20:00
• Saturday: 08:00 - 20:00
• Sunday: 11:00 - 13:00

Perry Barr - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Thursday: 07:00 - 18:00
• Friday: 07:00 - 19:00
• Saturday: 09:00 - 17:00
• Sunday: 10:00 - 16:00

Redditch - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Thursday: 06:15 - 19:00
• Friday: 06:15 - 20:00
• Saturday: 06:15 - 20:00
• Sunday: 09:00 - 16:00

Rowley Regis - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Thursday: 06:00 - 19:00
• Friday to Saturday: 06:00 - 20:00
• Sunday: 10:00 - 15:00

Sandwell & Dudley  - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below. Customer service staff may also currently be available in addition to this and outside of these core hours.

• Monday to Friday: 05:20 - 20:00
• Saturday: 05:20 - 19:00
• Sunday: 08:00 - 19:00

Selly Oak - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Friday: 06:00 - 21:00
• Saturday: 07:00 - 21:00
• Sunday: 09:00 - 19:00

Shenstone - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Friday: 07:00 - 10:00
• Saturday: 07:00 - 10:00
• Sunday: Closed

Shirley - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Thursday: 06:30 - 12:00
• Friday: 06:30 - 20:00
• Saturday: 08:00 - 20:00
• Sunday: 10:00 - 14:00

Small Heath - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Friday: 07:00 - 10:00
• Saturday to Sunday: Closed

Smethwick Galton Bridge - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Thursday: 06:15 - 13:00
• Friday: 06:15 - 18:00
• Saturday: 08:00 - 16:00
• Sunday: 10:00 - 13:00

Smethwick Rolfe Street - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Friday: 07:00 - 18:00
• Saturday: 08:00 - 17:00
• Sunday: Closed

Solihull- closure of ticket office proposed by Chiltern Railway - No details on current opening hours of the ticket office have been supplied

Spring Road - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Friday: 07:00 - 11:00
• Saturday: 09:00 - 14:00
• Sunday: Closed

Stafford - closure ticket office proposed by Avanti West Coast - The ticket office currently open

• Monday to Friday: 6:00 to 20:00
• Saturday: 6:00 to 20:00
• Sunday: 8:30 to 20:00

Stechford - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Thursday: 07:00 - 14:00
• Friday: 07:00 - 19:00
• Saturday: 08:00 - 17:00
• Sunday: 10:00 - 12:00

Stourbridge Junction - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Thursday: 06:00 - 20:00
• Friday: 06:00 - 22:00
• Saturday: 06:00 - 21:00
• Sunday: 09:00 - 19:00

Stourbridge Town - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Friday: 07:00 - 18:00
• Saturday: 09:00 - 18:00
• Sunday: Closed

Stratford-upon-Avon - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Thursday: 07:00 - 18:00
• Friday: 07:00 - 19:00
• Saturday: 07:00 - 18:00
• Sunday: 09:00 - 16:00

Sutton Coldfield  - station to become a new West Midlands Railway Customer Information Centre, meaning staff will be available throughout the week to assist with ticket purchases, as well as customer service, passenger assistance, safety and general upkeep duties. The current hours that the ticket office is open are:

• Monday to Thursday: 06:00 - 19:00
• Friday: 06:00 - 20:00
• Saturday: 08:00 - 20:00
• Sunday: 09:00 - 17:00

The hours that staff will be available are as follows:

• Monday to Friday: 06:00 – 23:30
• Saturday: 06:00 – 23:30
• Sunday: 06:00 – 23:30

Tame Bridge Parkway  - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Friday: 06:00 - 19:00
• Saturday: 07:00 - 19:00
• Sunday: 10:00 - 16:00

Telford Central - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Friday: 06:00 - 19:00
• Saturday: 06:00 - 19:00
• Sunday: 10:00 - 17:00

The Hawthorns - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Thursday: 07:00 - 13:00
• Friday: 07:00 - 17:00
• Saturday: 09:00 - 16:00
• Sunday: Closed

Tile Hill - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday: 06:00 - 19:00
• Tuesday to Thursday: 07:00 - 19:00
• Friday: 07:00 - 20:00
• Saturday: 08:00 - 19:00
• Sunday: 08:30 - 14:00

Tipton - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Friday: 07:00 - 14:00
• Saturday: 08:00 - 16:00
• Sunday: 11:00 - 14:00

Tyseley - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Friday: 07:00 - 09:00
• Saturday to Sunday: Closed

University - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below. Customer service staff may also currently be available in addition to this and outside of these core hours.

• Monday to Friday: 07:00 - 20:00
• Saturday: 08:00 - 19:00
• Sunday: 10:00 - 16:00

Walsall - station to become a new West Midlands Railway Customer Information Centre, meaning staff will be available throughout the week to assist with ticket purchases, as well as customer service, passenger assistance, safety and general upkeep duties. The current ticket office open hours are:

• Monday to Thursday: 06:00 - 19:00
• Friday: 06:00 - 20:00
• Saturday: 07:00 - 20:00
• Sunday: 09:20 - 16:45

The hours that staff will be available under the Customer Information Centre are as follows:

• Monday to Friday: 06:00 – 23:30
• Saturday: 06:00 – 23:30
• Sunday: 06:00 – 23:30

Warwick - closure of ticket office proposed by Children Railway - No details on current opening hours of the ticket office have been supplied

Warwick Parkway - closure of ticket office proposed by Children Railway - No details on current opening hours of the ticket office have been supplied

Wellington  - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday: 07:00 - 13:00, 15:00 - 17:00
• Tuesday to Thursday: 07:00 - 13:00
• Friday: 07:00 - 13:00, 15:00 - 17:00
• Saturday: 08:00 - 13:00
• Sunday: Closed

Widney Manor  - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Friday: 06:00 - 12:00
• Saturday: 08:00 - 15:00
• Sunday: 10:20 - 13:00

Wolverhampton - station to become a new West Midlands Railway Customer Information Centre, meaning staff will be available throughout the week to assist with ticket purchases, as well as customer service, passenger assistance, safety and general upkeep duties. The ticket office is currently open:

• Monday to Friday: 08:00 - 19:00
• Saturday: 08:00 - 18:00
• Sunday: 10:30 - 18:00

The hours that staff will be available as a Customer Information Centre are as follows:

• Monday to Friday: 06:00 – 23:30
• Saturday: 06:00 – 23:30
• Sunday: 06:00 – 23:30

Worcester Foregate Street - station to become a new West Midlands Railway Customer Information Centre, meaning staff will be available throughout the week to assist with ticket purchases, as well as customer service, passenger assistance, safety and general upkeep duties. The ticket office is currently open:

• Monday to Friday: 06:10 - 19:00
• Saturday: 06:10 - 19:00
• Sunday: 09:00 - 16:45

The hours that staff will be available as a Customer Information Centre are as follows:

• Monday to Friday: 06:00 – 23:30
• Saturday: 06:00 – 23:30
• Sunday: 06:00 – 23:30

Worcester Shrub Hill  - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Thursday: 06:00 - 11:00
• Friday: 06:00 - 19:00
• Saturday: 07:00 - 11:00
• Sunday: 09:00 - 14:00

Wylde Green - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway - This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Thursday: 06:05 - 19:00
• Friday: 07:00 - 20:00
• Saturday: 08:00 - 21:00
• Sunday: 09:25 - 16:00

Yardley Wood - closure of ticket office proposed by West Midlands Railway This station currently has a ticket office, which is open as below.

• Monday to Thursday: 06:30 - 14:00
• Friday: 06:30 - 19:00
• Saturday: 08:00 - 16:00
• Sunday: 09:30 - 13:00

How do I submit my views to the rail ticket office closures consultation?

The rail ticket office closure plans are currently undergoing a public consultation which will close on Friday, September 1. In order to submit your views you must contact the rail company which manages the rail ticket office you wish to express your views about. These are listed for each station under threat of closure above.

For West Midlands Rail with email address is: [email protected]; for Chiltern the email address is [email protected] and for Avanti West Coast it is [email protected].

You can find more information about htis at Transport for All. Full details of the propsals for each rail company overseeing rail ticket offices in the West Midlands are on these links here: West Midlands Railway; Avanti West Coast; and Chiltern