Health and safety gone mad? Greater Anglia to scrap clipping train tickets to protect wrists

Greater Anglia won't be clipping tickets anymore. Credit: ITV News Anglia

Video report by ITV News Anglia's Natalie Gray

A local train operator says it's stopping staff from clipping tickets - for fear that it's hurting their wrists.

Abellio Greater Anglia has decided to take the step in order to protect train conductors who can see as many as 600 passengers on a single journey.

The company are also concerned about hole punches making a mess.

From now on, conductors will us other techniques such as putting a red cross on tickets with marker pens.

Greater Anglia told ITV News Anglia that they were reacting to requests from staff.

The news didn't impress many people at Norwich Station today, with one passengers labelling the move as "pathetic."

Greater Anglia claim they are not alone in scrapping the clippers, but The Association of Train Operating Companies said they weren't aware of any rail companies with similar plans.

There is however a general acceptance among train companies that passengers are starting to use e-tickets more often and that this could eventually bring to an end the 150-year tradition of clipping tickets nationwide.

The UEA's policy on mortarboards also made headlines. Credit: PA

The move is the second health and safety ruling in Norwich to make headlines in recent weeks, with the UEA's bid to stop graduating students from throwing their hats in the air also raising a few eyebrows.