Berwick’s MP has stepped in to try and preserve a vital asset for vulnerable travellers.
Earlier this year, LNER unveiled proposals which could more than half the opening hours at the town’s railway station travel centre.
But following a meeting with bosses, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, the town’s MP since 2015, hopes she has made progress in efforts to scrap the plans
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She said: “Understandably LNER’s proposals were met with concern by local residents, many of whom have been in touch with me about this. I was keen to take their concerns to LNER and hear more about their proposals.
“I was grateful to the LNER team for taking the time to meet me and for hearing me out.
“They took time to listen to the concerns of Berwick passengers and I explained why it is so important to have access to ticket staff, especially for more elderly or vulnerable passengers.
“They promised me they would take my concerns into consideration and keep me informed of how the consultation progresses.”
The Berwick travel centre is currently open for a combined total of almost 79 hours a week: from 5.45am - 6.30pm, Monday - Friday; 6.45am - 3.15pm on Saturdays and 9.45am - 4.20pm on Sundays.
Under the plans put forward by LNER however, this would be cut to 35 hours across the week - just five hours a day - from 7am - noon, Monday - Friday, and 8am - 1pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Following the MP’s meeting, he said: “We also appreciate her involvement, it would be such a good thing for Berwick.
“It’s fantastic to see people are keeping active and trying to keep it going.
“The staff are fantastic and it would be a tragedy to see them go, so it’s good to see them being supported by their MP.”
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