By Jamie Forsyth & Luke Walsh

QUOTE

Concerned station staff on the c2c line were meeting bosses today to discuss fears over a shake-up which could lead to changes to booking offices.

The company, which runs services between Shoebury and Fenchurch Street, confirmed an overhaul was planned but refuted suggestions that booking offices would be closed and replaced with automatic ticket machines.

Route Director Leila Frances said: "We can assure people there will be no compulsory redundancies. However some job roles will be changing.

"I would like to state we have no plans to close booking offices and replace those staff with ticket machines."

However, a c2c spokesman confirmed booking offices were 'under review'.

He added: "We are having a meeting with staff when we will put some proposals to them. We want to talk to our staff before we reveal what those proposals are."

The c2c line between Shoebury and Fenchurch Street employs more than 600 staff and deals with around 28,000 passengers a day.

The spokesman of the RMT union said: "We do not want to see proposals foisted on our members without proper consultation."

Union fears have been fuelled by the decision of Kent rail company South Eastern Trains to replace ticketing equipment in booking offices with machines.

Although the company is not linked to c2c, the union fears it could follow suit.

In August, c2c was named the most reliable rail service in the country.

UNQUOTE

Updated 28/11/2005