It has been confirmed that Oakham's ticket office will be one of many to close.

Following an announcement made on 5 July that almost all of England's 1,007 rail tickets offices will close, Rutland residents have shared their thoughts on the nationwide change.

Where adopted, the proposals to remove offices will see ticket office staff transitioning to multi-skilled 'customer help' roles, where they would be better able to give advice about the best and cheapest fares, support customers with accessibility needs and to help customers board and alight from trains.

According the the RDG, the changes would mean a more visible and accessible staff presence overall in stations during staffed hours, on ticket concourses and on platforms.

However, rail workers across the country have shared concerns over job security, and campaign groups have commented on the impact that these closures may have on vulnerable travellers.

Disability transport campaigners, Transport for All, Tweeted: "Given the size and scale of the ticket office closures, with such profound impacts on disabled people, it is staggering that disabled people and our orgs have not had the opportunity to influence this policy at a National level."

Rutland residents have also shared their thoughts on the change, which has had an overwhelmingly negative response.

Andrew commented: "An appalling idea. Stations need staff, because apps and ticket machines can't provide assistance or advice."

Kirsty added: "This is very disappointing, and why people should support the train strikes. Yet more difficulties pushed onto vulnerable people and more job losses for good, honest and hardworking staff, at the expense of gross profiteering. And enabled by our rotten Government."

While many commented on the nationwide impact, some voiced their concern for local people who had been using the service.

Carol commented: "This will be an enormous loss to the people of Oakham and a shameful move by the railway."

Janie shared her concern for the staff at Oakham Station, as well as echoing the worry for vulnerable passengers as highlighted by campaign groups: "This increases the risk for passengers - the vulnerable as well as those needing help. Navigating the increasingly complex fare restrictions is stressful."

Carol replied: "This is also very short sighted as the people who work in the ticket office do so much more than sell tickets. They de-ice the station, deal with the rubbish, help people on and off the train, help those who are not internet savvy to buy tickets and plan journeys, keep an eye on the vulnerable, and the list continues."

Oakham, Melton and Stamford's ticket offices will be closing, meaning that no local stations will be able to provide face-to-face service when it comes to purchasing train tickets.

One resident tagged Rutland and Melton's MP, Alicia Kearns on our Facebook post about the closures, asking her: "What's your view on the closure of the ticket offices at both stations in your constituency please?"

In light of these closures, rail companies across the country have launched a survey looking into the customer service at UK train stations.

Read more here.

One final resident, Karen, commented on this step: "I enjoyed the irony of a customer service survey..."

What do you think?

Let us know by emailing [email protected].