Plans to cut train station staff and close ticket offices will turn railways into a "mugger’s paradise", critics have warned.

Industry body the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) unveiled proposals which could lead to nearly all offices across England being shut and 200 staff roles in Watford's region being lost.

At the busiest stations, such as Watford Junction, facilities would remain open in the form of "hubs", which would function in a similar way to current ticket offices, with staff available to buy tickets from.

All other local stations, including Apsley, Berkhamsted, Kings Langley and Tring, would lose theirs entirely. 

Across the West Midlands Trains network, including London Northwestern Railway which runs local services, more than 100 jobs appear likely to be lost with 88 booking offices closing.

Watford RMT branch secretary Stewart Cameron said the "massive job cuts" show the government is "pulling the strings".

“This managed decline of the railways will turn our railway into an unsafe mugger’s paradise, especially for lone travellers and the elderly and disabled travellers," he added.

“This cull of staff is for the sole purpose of West Midlands Trains increasing their profits further than the already incredible profits they have made for their shareholders all over the pandemic.”

Watford Observer: Watford Junction signWatford Junction sign (Image: Network Rail)

It is not known how quickly the first sites will close, but the programme is expected to last for three years, if the proposals being consulted on go through.

London Northwestern Railway presented the move as “modernising” the way tickets are sold, due to a huge fall in the proportion of tickets bought at offices.

It said it was proposing to “bring employees out from behind ticket office windows to be closer to customers”.

However, according to leaked documents seen by the Watford Observer, it appears that retail and station customer service staff roles are set to be slashed by 60 per cent across the West Midlands Trains network. Gateline revenue officer and dispatcher roles, staff on the platforms and at the gates, would be cut by 30 per cent.

This would mean 251.3 full-time equivalent positions withdrawn, although due to existing vacancies it would be 122 jobs lost.

It is understood, however, that no notices have been given and they will not be given until the end of the public consultation.

Robin Hall, from Watford Rail Users Group, said that the group was unhappy with the closures coming before rail fare simplification, the lack of a guarantee that there will be no job losses, and the loss of the ability to pay by cash at many stations.

“As a user group we already have very big concerns with the number of times the barriers are unstaffed,” he added, although he stressed the group has not yet met to decide a collective stance.

Watford's Tory MP Dean Russell said: “It is important that people have their say, and the public have been invited to take part in a 21-day public consultation, after which the government will make a decision on which offices will close.”

He highlighted that kiosks will remain at large stations and elsewhere staff will be redeployed into “customer help” roles, which are already in place at many stations.

The consultation will be facilitated by independent watchdogs Transport Focus and London TravelWatch. London TravelWatch covers Watford’s stations.

Transport Focus consultation: https://www.transportfocus.org.uk/train-station-ticket-office-consultation/

London TravelWatch consultation for LNR: https://www.londontravelwatch.org.uk/london-northwestern-railway-ticket-office-consultation/

A London Northwestern Railway spokesperson said: “Alongside the public consultation on ticket offices, a range of options will be created for staff affected, including moving to a new skilled role and comprehensive re-training and re-skilling.

"No changes to staffing levels have been confirmed, as it is subject to consultation.

“London Northwestern Railway will continue to engage constructively with unions at a local level to manage the transition in a way that works best for staff.

"Under our proposals, Watford Junction would become a customer service hub, offering passenger assistance, ticket purchases and general upkeep duties for which staff will be available throughout the week."