HUGELY controversial plans to close railway station ticket offices – including Keighley's – have been scrapped.

Government transport secretary Mark Harper confirmed today that train operators had been asked to withdraw the proposals.

The news has been welcomed locally.

Keighley MP Robbie Moore says: "The decision shows that every voice matters. By expressing our collective opposition, we sent a strong message to Northern that its closure plans were absolutely not in the best interests of our community.

"The plans were a ridiculous idea from the start.

"I raised my concerns directly with the Secretary of State for Transport, and wrote to the managing director of Northern and the rail minister, and encouraged local residents to submit their objections.

"I'm pleased the Government has instructed train operators to withdraw their completely misjudged closure plans."

John Grogan, Labour's Keighley parliamentary candidate, says: "Common sense has prevailed in keeping the nation’s ticket offices open.

"The fact that the Secretary of State has asked train operators to withdraw their proposals shows that it was the Government that was behind the idea all along.

"Perhaps now the Department for Transport can concentrate on the core task of restoring a reliable rail service across the north."