WITHAM MP Priti Patel has slammed Abellio Greater Anglia for not having a ticket office staffed during opening hours.

Ms Patel has called for the train line to ensure the Hatfield Peverel ticked office is manned after receiving complaints from commuters.

They said they have been unable to buy tickets and make face-to-face enquiries as there are no staff.

Ms Patel said: “The number of unexpected ticket office closures has been unacceptable and extremely inconvenient to passengers. “Abellio have informed me they are training new staff to fill vacancies but this situation should not have been allowed to happen in the first place.

“Commuters paying thousands of pounds a year deserve better and I will be keeping a close eye on the opening times of ticket offices in the weeks ahead.”

Braintree and Witham Times:

An Abellio Greater Anglia spokesperson said: “We apologise for the recent occasions when the ticket office at Hatfield Peverel has been closed on some afternoons, and we're sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused.

“We have recruited a new member of staff to fill an outstanding vacancy with the intention to help ensure the ticket office will be open to the advertised hours as soon as possible."