THE NEW ticket office at Southampton Central Station was closed when I arrived to catch a train to London.

No, you can’t go on the platform without a ticket, the helpful young lady addressing passengers informed me.

But I could walk all the way round and over the bridge to enter from the other side.

But I would miss my train.

That, it appeared, wasn’t her problem.

The train I eventually caught was half full. Little wonder if you ask me.