Calls have been made for the rear access to Witham’s railway station to be unlocked earlier each morning.
Concerns had been raised by commuters that the entrance was not opened in time for passengers to catch the first train of the day.
Town MP Priti Patel has raised the issue with Jamie Burles, managing director of rail operator Abellio Greater Anglia, after being contacted by a number of constituents.
Ms Patel said: “It is extremely frustrating that despite attempts to rectify this problem staff at Witham station continue to overlook unlocking the gate until it is too late for passengers to catch the train.
“Abellio need to recognise the service they provide to passengers needs to improve drastically, it is not good enough that passengers paying high fares have been left in a predicament where they don’t know if they will be able to access the station with enough time to get on a train.”
A spokesman for Abellio Greater Anglia said: “Access to Witham station is available throughout the operation of services via the main entrance.
“We are looking to extend the hours of opening whereby passengers can also gain access via the rear entrance and will monitor this for a trial period, following customer comments.”
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