TICKET clippers to validate passengers’ journeys will become defunct after rail staff complained they were causing injuries.

Tickets inspectors complained about using the clippers to check tickets and raised concerns over the risks of long-term repetitive strain injuries to their wrists.

Cleaners were also frustrated at having to clear up the mess of discarded paper.

An Abellio Greater Anglia spokesman said: “An increasing number of people are using mobile, print at home and smart ticketing options for their journey, for which, the clippers are obsolete.

“We are phasing out the use of clippers and will be using alternative methods of marking checked tickets.”

Derek Monnery, chairman of the Essex Rail Users Federation, who also has nearly 48 years in the construction industry, welcomed the change.

He said: “Clippers have had their day now and phasing them out is the sensible thing to do. A marker pen would do the same job.

“From experience, it can cause people serious damage if you use vibrating tools for long periods of time so I know rail staff are expressing genuine concerns.

“Someone clipping all day long may get symptoms of vibration white finger, which is an industrial injury.

“During peak travel times, 80 to 90 per cent of passengers will be season ticket holders so there will be no reason to clip the tickets.”