Plans have been announced to permanently close the "majority" of railway ticket offices across England - including facilities at Sandbach Railway Station.

And a 21-day consultation has been launched to collect passengers' views for the plan.

Today (Wednesday 5th July), the government announced proposals to close nearly every railway station ticket office across England - with Sandbach included.

Under these plans, hundreds of English railway station ticket offices will close over the next three years.

For Sandbach it means there would only be 'ticket support' from 8 am until 10 am Monday - Saturday. Sandbach Nub News hasn't been given any other information.

More travellers will be using the ticket machine at Sandbach station. (Photo: Sandbach Nub News)

In Crewe, ticketing support across the station would be available from 6:30am to to 7:00pm (Monday to Saturday) and 7:00am to 7:00pm (Sunday).

Passengers are now being urged to take part in a 21-day public consultation to collect passengers' views for each station.

Posters were meant to have gone up at stations, inviting the public to take part, after which the government will make the final decision on which offices will close.

However, at the time of writing this story, none could be spotted at Sandbach train station in Elworth.

Sub-national English transport body, Transport for the North, says it is "concerned" with the government's latest announcement.

A Transport for the North spokesperson said: "We understand that the way people buy tickets is changing and that there needs to be reform.

The ticket office at Sandbach looks set to close under plans. (Photo: Sandbach Nub News)

"However, this should be done in a holistic way, considering the needs of all station users and local communities.

"We are concerned that the focus on ticket office staffing in isolation of wider investment (for example pay as you go ticketing) could lead to disadvantaging certain passengers and communities.

"We will be working with our partners on a robust response to the consultation using local evidence and knowledge.

Ticketing support across Crewe Railway Station would be available from 6:30am to to 7:00pm (Monday to Saturday) and 7:00am to 7:00pm (Sunday) (Ryan Parker).

"Patronage growth on the railways in the North is strong, albeit people are choosing to travel at different times for different purposes.

"Done correctly, we can ensure that reform supports growth and the needs of all passengers.

"But it must not be to the disadvantage of any station users, especially in regards to accessibility and safety." 

According to Rail Delivery Group (RDG), Only 12% of railway tickets were sold at ticket offices in 2022 - with the rest bought online or from vending machines.

A 21-day public consultation has now been launched to collect passengers' views for each station (Ryan Parker).

Under new proposals, If a passenger was unable to purchase a ticket at a station, they would be able to buy one during the journey, at a ticket office en-route or at their destination.

To take part in the consultation click HERE.