Campaigners have hit out at plans to close almost every railway station ticket office in England - arguing disabled and elderly people have been "completely ignored".

The proposals, which have been put forward by train company representative Rail Delivery Group (RDG), will see Norwich station's ticket office become a 'Customer Information Centre'. 

Greater Anglia, which declined to say if the shake-up will result in any job losses, confirmed changes to opening hours, but added the centre will "provide help with complex transactions" and no alterations will be made to staff availability.

Norwich Evening News: Norwich Train Station would see its ticket office become a Customer Information CentreNorwich Train Station would see its ticket office become a Customer Information Centre (Image: Brittany Woodman)

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Nearby stations such as Diss and Lowestoft will see staff move out of their offices and help passengers on platforms, selling tickets from mobile machines.

Mick Hardy, 69, is registered disabled due to poor vision and is a member of the Norfolk Disabled People Against Cuts group.

"This is wrong in so many ways," said Mick, who lives in NR2.

"I was absolutely speechless when I heard the news.

Norwich Evening News: Mick Hardy of Norfolk Disabled People Against CutsMick Hardy of Norfolk Disabled People Against Cuts (Image: Newsquest)

"There is no way I can use those mobile machines.

"I'm a pensioner, I'm not tech savvy at all and, most importantly, I won't be able to see them.

"I sometimes struggle to see train times on the board. What do I do if I need someone to help point out which train I need to get?"

The shake-up comes as passenger numbers nationwide stand at their lowest since 2002 and revenue lies 30pc below pre-Covid levels.

Norwich Evening News: Transport secretary Mark Harper had asked train operators to cut costsTransport secretary Mark Harper had asked train operators to cut costs (Image: PA)

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The RDG also claims just 12pc of train tickets are bought from offices at stations, down from 82pc in 1995.

Rail users have until next Wednesday, July 26, to comment on the proposals before being passed on to the RDG.

"Do the views of that 12pc not count?" argued Mr Hardy.

"What about blind people? There is no use in having staff at the station if you can't see them.

"A ticket office is so important and, once again, the views of the disabled and elderly have been completely ignored."

Norwich's Green Party have also voiced their opposition to the proposals, with deputy leader Alex Catt launching a petition to save the ticket office at the city's railway station.

Norwich Evening News: Cllr Alex Catt has launched a petition to save the train station's ticket officeCllr Alex Catt has launched a petition to save the train station's ticket office (Image: Alex Catt)