Controversial plans to close railway station ticket offices across England - including Manchester Piccadilly - have sparked widespread condemnation.
The Rail Delivery Group (RDG), a leading industry body, has proposed the closure of almost all ticket offices, including those at major stations such as Manchester's main station, as well as London Waterloo, London Euston, Birmingham New Street. The move comes after Transport Secretary Mark Harper asked train operators to reduce costs.
The RDG argues that shifting ticket office staff to station platforms and concourses will "modernise customer service" and ensure there are "more staff available to give face-to-face help".
