The feared closure of every Tube station ticket office in Redbridge has been confirmed by Boris Johnson as part of £270million spending cuts, prompting an outcry from passengers.
More ticket machines will be put into entrance halls when they are shut by 2015, and staff stationed elsewhere in station.
Leyton and Wanstead MP John Cryer slammed the closures as “reckless and irresponsible” and is campaigning against the plan with a petition.
He said: “People will feel more anxious travelling when the stations may be deserted.
“Commuters across the area will have nowhere to turn when their oyster card is lost, stolen or broken.”
Mike Brown, managing director of London Underground, insisted the changes would make the Tube “fit for the 21st Century”.
He added: “My commitment to London is that all Tube stations will continue to be staffed and controlled in future, with more staff visible and available to help customers buy the right ticket, plan their journey and keep them safe and secure.”
New visitor information centres will be opened in some central London stations and some will see a boost in staff.
Redbridge’s 10 Underground stations on the Central Line, including Hainault, Gants Hill, Wanstead and Woodford, will be open all night on Friday and Saturday from 2015.
The Piccadilly, Victoria and Jubilee lines and part of the Northern line will also be part of the “night Tube”.
The changes will save around £50m a year and result in the loss of around 750 jobs, although London Underground is trying to limit redundancies.
Gants Hill resident Aliar Hossain, 33, said TfL should “reconsider” the plans.
He added: “Firstly, we are already having difficulty with employment in various sectors. Where will the staff go?
“They should cut some top management instead of staff.”
Bibi Rahman, 68, was concerned about where people will go for help if the offices close.
She said: “We need the staff as they’re friendly faces, for familiarity, and people to help you.
“It’s good to have people from the community helping their community members.”
For information on joining Mr Cryer’s campaign, email cryercommunitycampaigns@hotmail.co.uk.
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