Agreed. I'm not against mechanisation if it works, but even yesterday, I went to the self-service in Tesco because I thought I'd get through quicker, and some of the machines weren't working. Not ideal.

I can see how the idea at the railway stations would free up staff to be more useful on the platform, but there's been an outcry from disabled groups, especially blind people, who may not be able to distinguish between a member of staff and the local crook.