THE planned closure of 51 London Overground ticket offices would be “an act of vandalism on London’s transport infrastructure,” rail union leader Manuel Cortes has said.

Arriva Rail London is launching a 28-day consultation today on its plan to axe the ticket offices, despite strong opposition from transport unions.

TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes attacked the closures as representing “a return to the bad old days of underfunded, understaffed and under secure service” and pledged to raise the issue with London’s Deputy Mayor for Transport Heidi Alexander at the Labour Party conference next week.