Rail bosses should pledge not to close any ticket offices in East Anglia, says Norwich MP Clive Lewis
Norwich South MP Clive Lewis. Picture: ANTONY KELLY - Credit: Archant
Rail bosses should pledge not to shut any of its East Anglian ticket offices, according to a Norfolk MP.
Rail union RMT claimed Greater Anglia wants to close all but seven of its ticket offices - relying on customers to buy their fares online or from ticket machines.
The rail operator has denied it wants to shut the bulk of its offices, but it is considering closing seven of its little-used ticket offices.
Norwich South MP Clive Lewis has tabled an early day parliamentary motion inviting fellow MPs to back his call for the rail operator to give assurances it will not close ticket offices for the duration of its franchise and to express concern over the union's warning that all but seven could shut by the end of the franchise.
The Labour MP's motion also says the House is 'further concerned that ticket office closures will result in a worse, less accessible service, higher ticket prices, more dangerous stations and non-availability of tickets when ticket machines break down.'
You may also want to watch:
The union had said its officials had been told the number of stations with ticket offices would be shut from 64 to seven - those at London Liverpool Street, Colchester, Norwich, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich and Stansted Airport.
Eleven MPs have added their names to Mr Lewis's motion.
Most Read
- 1 Norfolk hit by flooding as storms reach the county
- 2 Caravan owners furious after park suddenly blocks sales of properties
- 3 Tributes as Leanne, 29, dies after receiving cancer 'all-clear'
- 4 Pupil taken to hospital after incident at Thorpe St Andrew school
- 5 Land wanted by village sold to mystery buyer for £50,000 more
- 6 Banham Poultry taken over by owner of Bernard Matthews and 2 Sisters
- 7 Patients speak out as surgeon who botched surgeries still working
- 8 Man found dead at Thorpe St Andrew home
- 9 Cafe owner 'overwhelmed' by support for contested outdoor terrace
- 10 Petrol station staff to receive awards for attempting to save baby's life
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: 'We welcome this support from MPs for the campaign to keep ticket offices open on Greater Anglia.
'If the company have nothing to hide they should now give a categorical assurance that they will not be closing ticket offices while they are in charge of the franchise.'
But the rail operator said it was consulting over seven ticket offices, although it said there were no 'current proposals' to close other ticket offices.
A spokeswoman said: 'We have no plans to reduce the number of Greater Anglia ticket offices to seven.
'However, we are currently reviewing responses to a public consultation about proposals to close seven little-used ticket offices.
'There are no current proposals to close any other ticket offices.
'We will continue to consult with our colleagues and the trades unions on any proposed changes to ticket office arrangements.'
The offices under consideration for closure are Walton, Thorpe-le-Soken, Alresford, Dovercourt, Great Bentley, Harwich International and Great Chesterford.
