Greater Anglia is hoping to replace ticket offices with automatic machines at some lesser-used stations across Essex.

It has launched a consultation period with passengers which could lead to the closure of the staffed ticket offices in Walton-on-the-Naze, Thorpe-le-Soken, Alresford, Great Bentley, Dovercourt, Harwich International and Great Chesterford near Saffron Walden.

Peter Wakefield, Chairman of Railfuture East Anglia Branch, said: “As long as the ticket machine works and is looked after properly that’s ok, but certainly at peak time it would be sad to see a station without staff.”

He added: “It’s disappointing to hear this and we would hope the parish council would contest this vigorously.”

The rail company said all the stations had very low ticket sales. All the ticket offices affected in east Essex are served by trains with on-board conductors who can also sell tickets to customers.

At Harwich International, a member of staff would be on duty when there are cruise ships in port. There would also be a member of staff based at Thorpe-le-Soken.

Greater Anglia will also continue to have procedures in place to provide assistance to Mobility Impaired customers at the stations which have their ticket offices closed.