JOB losses at Central Station have been heavily criticised by borough councillors and union officials who say cuts will mean a worse service for travellers.

Three station staff will go following a decision by operator First North Western to axe more than 40 jobs across the region in a bid to improve profitability.

The company has been identified by rail watchdogs as one of Britain's worst for reliability and punctuality and the latest decision has angered regular users.

Clr Eddie O'Kane believes the station staff provide an invaluable service for travellers, especially disabled and elderly people.

"These staff play a crucial role at Central Station. They make sure the station is a safer place as well as helping people who need assistance to get on and off trains," said Clr O'Kane.

"The council is trying to attract more investment, people and business to come into Warrington and Central Station is one of the main gateways.

"We are also trying to develop that area around the station and this will not give people a good first impression of the town."

Members of the RMT union, which represents transport workers, has called the move as 'unacceptable' and 'a cynical abandonment or responsibilities'.

A spokesman for the company defended the job losses. He said: "We are looking at the whole structure of the company to meet our financial targets.

"As for the service for disabled people, it will actually improve. From April every train will have a ramp which the conductor will use to help disabled people on to and off the train.

"This means stations currently unusable by disabled people will now be open," he said.

Staff at the station will find out when their jobs are to go later this month.

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