CLACTON'S MP is backing his constituency which is up in arms about rail station ticket offices potentially being closed.

Douglas Carswell told the Gazette he has acted on residents' concerns and raised the issue directly with Network Rail and Greater Anglia.

He said: "Many local people have contacted me about the proposed loss of ticket machines at stations.

"I've listened carefully to those concerns and have taken action. As well as raising it directly with Network Rail, I've written to Greater Anglia whose decision it is.

"I'm 100 percent behind keeping our ticket machines."

The 14-day public consultation period ended on March 20 which will help bosses decide whether six ticket offices in Tendring will be axed.

It is hoped the company will take on board Harwich MP Bernard Jenkins' comments, who has not officially submitted an objection before the deadline.

A member of his team said it is most likely Greater Anglia will be happy to engage with the MP, who has asked for assurances from managing director Jamie Burles on a number of flaws.

In a letter shared with the Gazette, he wrote: "Elderly, disabled and mobility-impaired commuters sometimes need personal assistance to board trains, and this must be done on the platform after prior warning is given to staff to avoid trains being delayed.

"There are some individuals who choose not to use more advanced forms of technology and no doubt would struggle with using the ticket machines. "Further, there are also some less-frequent travellers who rely on the ticket offices to advise them on the correct tickets to purchase."

Ticket machines breakdowns leaving commuters unsure about whether they can travel and assistance at Harwich International Station were also highlighted.

  • In a poll of online Clacton Gazette readers, 66 per cent said they were dissatisfied with the two-week consultation compared to 19 per cent who felt fine about it. Fifteen per cent were indifferent.