FINSBURY Park and Essex Road ticket offices have been saved after a hard-fought campaign to stop the Rail Delivery Group from shutting down ticket offices nationwide.

Transport secretary Mark Harper this week said he had asked rail operators to “withdraw their proposals” after public consultation.

Multiple groups in the borough, including the Islington Labour Group and Islington Pensioners Forum, campaigned to keep the offices open.

They argued that closures spelled disaster for the elderly and disabled who either need help accessing the station, or cannot operate ticket machines.

Islington’s lead councillor for transport Rowena Champion said she was “delighted” the offices were staying open, adding: “It is clear from the hundreds of stories that people have told over recent months that our ticket offices are of immeasurable value to the Islington community.”

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said that it was a resounding victory for the union’s campaign and a win for passengers, community groups and rail workers alike.