The ticket office at Burnham-On-Crouch's railway station could close under a new proposal aimed at "modernising the railway", Greater Anglia confirmed today (June 5).

Rail firm bosses throughout England have announced a public consultation over plans to close most ticket offices within the next three years.

It is proposed that all ticket office windows at Burnham-On-Crouch will close, with staff moving to other areas of the station.

However, passengers may benefit from the increased staffing hours proposed. Currently the ticket office is open from 6.30am until 11am on weekdays and is closed at weekends, but the proposal would mean staff are on hand from 6.30am until 11.30am on weekdays.

On Saturdays and Sundays, customers would receive "regular visits by the mobile team".

In a statement to passengers, Greater Anglia said: "The proposals form part of plans to modernise the railway and bring it more in line with modern customer expectations."

The nationwide move has sparked wide scale criticism and could lead to further strikes by rail unions who are opposed to the plans.

Mick Lynch, General Secretary of the UK's largest rail union, the RMT, has said his union will not "meekly sit by and allow thousands of jobs to be sacrificed or see disabled and vulnerable passengers left unable to use the railways as a result".

The Rail Delivery Group says only 12 per cent of tickets are currently sold at station kiosks. (Photo: Ben Shahrabi)

The Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which represents train companies, began a consultation after talks with the RMT union failed to reach an agreement.

The industry body argues only 12 per cent of tickets are currently sold at station kiosks on average, compared with 85 per cent in 1995, with passengers now buying more tickets online or at machines.

This issue is the latest flashpoint between train companies and unions, who have been in a long-running dispute over pay, jobs and working conditions, which has resulted in many strikes and service disruption in recent times.

The Department for Transport has declined to comment on the consultation.

To comment on Greater Anglia's proposal for Burnham-On-Crouch, get in touch via email before July 26.

What do you think of the proposal? Get in touch with Nub News to share your thoughts.

Read more

• Maldon District: 37 new homes in Burnham, 9 new homes in Tillingham, Mill Beach plans refused, and 9 more planning applications near you
• Maldon fire crews tackle late-night blaze as flames ravage Heybridge home
• Advice for homeowners in the Maldon District as mortgage rates soar