TRAINS travelling from the Dengie will no longer have conductors after 2019, the Standard can reveal.

Greater Anglia plans to introduce a fresh fleet of 169 new Driver Controlled Operation (DCO) trains in 2019 as part of a £1.4 billion investment.

The drivers of the trains will be able to operate the doors to open and close them without another member of staff on board.

The company has said when the new trains are introduced, there would not be a need for conductors on the Southminster to Wickford line, which travels through Burnham, Althorne, North Fambridge and South Woodham Ferrers.

There are 222 conductors employed across the network with seven conductor managers and a small number working on peak time trains on the Southminster line.

A Greater Anglia spokesman said: “The new trains will be fitted with automatic selective door opening, so these trains could be operated without conductors. However, all of these conductors will be offered jobs as conductors elsewhere on the network or the option to become revenue protection inspectors.”

But residents fear that a lack of staffing on busy trains would be “hugely damaging” to the service.

Burnham resident Jody Harris said: “I have been travelling on this line for more than 20 years and find the conductors to be some of the most helpful, friendly people I’ve come across while travelling by train.

“My children use the line to travel to school every day, and I feel safe in the knowledge that these conductors are on the train should anything happen.

“The youth problem at the Burnham station does seem to be getting worse lately.

“Sometimes there can be ten to 20 youths hanging around at Burnham Station, and the ticket machine hardly ever works. I dread to think how high that number would grow to if the conductors were removed and the trains becoming a free for all for them.”

The Greater Anglia spokesman added: “Station colleagues regularly inspect Burnham-on-Crouch and any faults are fixed as soon as possible.

“We are working with our ticket machine supplier to improve the reliability of the machines and software and apologise for any inconvenience caused. Customers are able to purchase tickets at the ticket office.”