A politician has vowed not to take plans to close ticket offices “lying down.”

Jeanette Arnold, the London Assembly member for Waltham Forest, says she will do all she can to stop Transport for London (TfL) from getting rid of ticket offices at St James Street and Wood Street Stations.

The transport body revealed last week it was considering closing 51 ticket offices around the London Overground network.

Ms Arnold said: “This is absolutely outrageous, and I am not going to take this lying down.

“I am appalled by this and will be taking action against the proposals.

“It’s vital that local people using this station continue to get the good service they’ve come to expect.

“Decent staffing levels are essential for ensuring that the elderly and disabled are supported, that people feel safe using this station at quieter times, and that help is there whenever a customer may need it.”

Ms Arnold has pledged to start a petition against the plans and says TfL needs to do a proper assessment to see how people will be affected by the closures.

She also raised concerns that closing the ticket offices could compromise people’s safety.

She said: “It’s not just about the running of trains, these places need to be safe for us to use.”

Ms Arnold encouraged residents to respond to the consultation on the proposals which is currently being run by London travel watchdog, TravelWatch.

Nick Halebi, Conservative Councillor for Chingford Green on Waltham Forest Council however said the closures of the ticket stations were “inevitable.”

He said: “Things are moving forward with technology and this will happen all over the country. We have to get used to using that technology.

“What we really need is more help and publicity in explaining it better. I don’t really see the problem, it just needs more communication and explanation.”

Jon Fox, TfL’s Director of Rail and Sponsored Services said: “The way customers pay for travel has changed rapidly as they embrace new technology, creating an opportunity to improve the way stations are managed and how staff serve customers.

“These proposals will not compromise safety and all stations will remain staffed at all times.”