Transport for London is considering plans to close the ticket office at Whitechapel station, as the station is rebuilt in anticipation of Crossrail. Local Labour London Assembly Member John Biggs has branded the plans a ‘backward step’.
The station is an interchange for the district, Hammersmith and city and Overground lines, and will be a Crossrail stop from 2018. Whitechapel tube station is located opposite Europe’s largest A&E, based at the Royal London Hospital and in the middle of one of London’s busiest markets.
Local Labour London Assembly Member John Biggs said:
“I am deeply concerned that Transport for London are planning to close the ticket office at Whitechapel station, and not provide one in the new station. This station needs a ticket office where residents and visitors can speak to a member of staff directly and receive the range of services a ticket office provides. To get rid of the ticket office there would be a backwards step. “Whitechapel is a busy station, set to become even busier with the arrival of Crossrail. We all need to use a ticket window from time to time. Closing Whitechapel ticket office would set a dangerous precedent for the future of ticket offices at busy stations elsewhere in London. I urge the Mayor to reconsider his plans and keep the ticket office open, and provide one in the new station.”
Ends