A number of prominent Conservative MPs have joined the outcry against the proposed closure of hundreds of railway station ticket offices. They were highlighting the consequences for passengers as well as job losses in the railway industry.

The Transport Salaries Staffs’ Association (TSSA) has welcomed the move which saw a number of Conservatives openly rebel against government proposals. These included former Home Secretary Dame Priti Patel, as well as West Dorset MP Chris Loder.

The TSSA has been highly critical of the proposals as have passengers, disability groups and organisations representing pensioners.  The public consultation has drawn more than 700,000 responses, the largest ever seen.

Another MP, Mark Francois, member for Rayleigh and Wickford, said that the proposals were ‘completely unloved’ and that they were ‘not popular even among Conservative backbenchers – quite, quite the opposite’.

Francois later addressed the Rail Minister, Huw Merriman, saying that a mistake had been made and that Merriman should ‘take the hint . . . drop it’.

Peter Pendle, TSSA Interim General Secretary, said: “It’s now abundantly clear Conservative MPs are hopping mad and the debate in Parliament proved there’s no support outside the Cabinet.

“No doubt many other Conservative MPs are listening to their constituents and have opened their eyes to the foolishness of these plans.

“As we have said all along – Mark Harper and Huw Merriman must shelve these disastrous closures which would critically damage our rail network and communities across the country.”