CLOSING ticket offices across the London Underground have caused “dangerous bottlenecking” at stations, it is claimed.

Independent watchdog London TravelWatch is currently carrying out a six week review into the impact the closure has had on passengers.

It was ordered by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan at the start of September and will particularly look at how the decision has affected disabled users.

Leyton and Wanstead MP John Cryer says the review is more important than ever given the launch of the Night Tube.

Speaking some three weeks after the review was announced, he said: “This has endangered passenger safety.

“It has caused dangerous bottle-necking on stations, especially at peak times, diminished services especially for disabled people, and made the Tube a less user friendly place to travel.

“Putting customer service staff on platforms had increased pressure on the network and made it a less safe place to work.

“During busy times, there is no one to ensure everybody’s safety at station entrances and foyers.”

He says people in Leyton, Leytonstone, Snaresbrook and Wanstead feel “less safe” using deserted stations late at night.

It was said ticket offices are used for just three per cent of journeys and the move would save around £270million.

The closures, agreed under previous Mayor of London Boris Johnson, sparked an industrial dispute with unions.

Mr Cryer campaigned against the closures and says he still feels they make little “financial, strategic or common sense”.
 He added: “With the launch of the Night Tube we particularly need to ensure disabled people get the right assistance when they need it and make sure no-one feels unsafe around our more quiet stations late at night.

“I eagerly await the findings and recommendations of the report.”