SIR — When the Hampshire Chronicle revealed, last year, that the ticket office next to Winchester station (accessed from outside) would close, it was obvious that this would be very inconvenient for passengers.

We are now learning how inconvenient. Very often there are not three booking clerks at the windows inside the station hall entrance, but one.

On Saturday last, I stood in a queue with 18 people in front of me. Often, these travellers need information about destinations and prices, and it takes quite a while for the queue to reduce.

The result of this is missed trains, consequently, missed appointments, angry passengers, and booking staff who have to sometimes have to take verbal abuse from passengers.

On the last five occasions I have used this train service, I have managed to get a ticket quickly just once.

This is not to criticise the booking staff. Fortunately, they are all experienced and work as fast as possible.

There is also the matter of the new reconstruction at the station.

The new ticket barriers for passengers coming from London allow them to walk straight through — but into the long queue waiting for tickets to London.

My advice for people travelling is to try and get a ticket the evening before, or make sure that you arrive at the station half-an-hour before your train is scheduled to depart.

A great pity that the former ticket office/travel centre was closed, an inevitable result of privatisation.

The owners do what they like, no doubt to “save money”.

John Docherty, Highcliffe Road, Winchester.