London Midland are proposing to cut staffing at virtually all stations across the West Midlands and this includes Acocks Green Station,where the cuts will be significant (I understand they are proposing no staff after 2pm on Monday – Thursday, after 6pm on Friday, after 4pm on Saturday and no staff at all on Sunday. Spring Road will see even more severe curtailment of staffing. These changes are proposed to take effect from this summer.

London Midland argue that during the hours that they propose for closure, less than 12 tickets/hour are sold and they will be providing automatic ticket machines. At the moment, in the Centro area, they are required to be open from first to last trains.

The consultation period for these changes is only for 3 weeks until 22 March with responses required to Passenger focus (details below). The City Council will be objecting, highlighting the following concerns:

*Severe diminution in customer service –  ticket machines will not give advice on ticket types or train services and are occasionally out of use.

*Loss of waiting and toilet facilities at some stations (these will be closed when the stations do not have staff present), the former being heated, and loss of help to passengers who are mobility impaired – it appears the inner city stations are worst affected and they tend to be areas where assistance is needed.

*Loss of security and surveillance especially in the evening leading to increased vandalism.

*Impact on regeneration and promotion of public transport as it appears inner city stations are worst affected, places where assistance is particularly needed.

Can I strongly encourage you to respond to the consultation, by 22 March by writing to Passenger Focus either by email to advice@passengerfocus.org.uk or in writing to Freepost (RRE-ETTC-LEET), P O Box 4257, Manchester M60 3AR. Please highlight your particular concerns. Please also pass on these details to anyone else you know who may wish to respond.