London Underground ticket office closures begin today

London Underground's controversial plan to axe ticket offices at 270 stations gets underway today.

Queensway and South Wimbledon are among the first stations where passengers will be forced to use machines.

A total of nine stations have been earmarked for "modernisation" in February, with the rest following over the next 14 months.

London Underground says staff equipped with computer tablets will offer a better service to customers.

Queensway and South Wimbledon are among the first stations where passengers will be forced to use machines Credit: PA

But the cuts, involving the loss of 900 jobs, have been bitterly opposed by the tube unions and led to a series of strikes last year.

Tube bosses hope to save £50 million a year.

"Throughout this year, passengers will see further improvements at stations, including more staff in ticket hall, on gate lines and platforms where they can offer the best possible assistance," said London Underground Chief Operating Officer Nick Brown.

The unions are still in dispute with LU over the modernisation programme but the threat of further strikes appears to have faded.

"The safety and comfort of millions of passengers is being sacrificed to help Boris Johnson achieve his lifelong ambition; firstly to become Tory leader and, ultimately, Prime Minister," said Manuel Cortes, General Secretary of the TSSA union.

The stations set to lose ticket offices this month:

  • Chigwell

  • Embankment

  • Queensway

  • Roding Valley

  • Shepherd's Bush

  • South Wimbledon

  • Temple

  • Theydon Bois

  • Upminster Bridge

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