West Dorset MP Chris Loder has slammed South Western Railway as "morally bankrupt" amid proposals to cut staffing hours at Dorchester South station.

The government recently announced plans to close more than 1,000 ticket offices across the UK – at almost all stations except for the few busiest – in an effort to cut the cost of running the railway, insisting that passengers will benefit by ticket office staff moving onto platforms, where they can assist travellers

South Western Railway's proposals include closing all of its ticket offices, but it has also suggested cutting staffing hours on platforms at Dorchester South station.

Mr Loder said: "South Western Railway (SWR) has had to propose to government how it wishes to reform station operations in light of the news that just 12% of train tickets are sold at station ticket offices. 

"In principle, I agree that staff at stations should not be stuck behind a ticket office window when no one is wanting to buy a ticket, but this should not be used as an excuse to reduce the staffing hours at train stations.

"I no longer think that SWR is a reputable operator with any concern for rural Dorset. Among other concerns, the train company leave disabled passengers stranded and, despite a quick fix being available, they will not change the planned platform of trains at Dorchester South so disabled and elderly people can more easily board the train.

"And with such a problem with access for elderly and disabled people in Dorchester, SWR are instead wanting to slash staffing hours by almost half at the county town's station! This is the sort of morally bankrupt company business that this railway company has become."

Mr Lder has launched an online petition against the changes at www.chrisloder.co.uk/ticketoffices or you can email or write to Transport Focus, the passenger watchdog who is running the consultation at [email protected]

A statement from South Western Railway said: To modernise our retailing offer, we are proposing to transition our station colleagues to new multi-skilled roles with a clear focus on helping our customers. Our proposals will create a single team on each station, working together to help customers with different aspects of their journeys from journey planning to ticket purchasing.

"In particular, all station colleagues above our apprentices will be trained to support customers with their retail choices, and by bringing them out of the ticket offices and into the stations, they will provide more visible and personal help to our customers.

"Ultimately, by working together at stations as a single team, there will be more colleagues available to help customers with their retail choices.

"South Western Railway is proposing to close all of our ticket offices. Customers will still be able to access the same products and services as they do today through South Western Railway's website, our mobile app, contactless payment, pay as you go, at our customer contact centre, or at the station.

 "We will continue to meet all our commitments on providing accessibility for passengers, including passengers with reduced mobility and people requiring in‑person assistance.

"By introducing modern retailing, we believe we can even better connect people and communities across South West London and the South East of England every day."

You can find out more at https://www.southwesternrailway.com/station-change-proposal