The railway workers’ union will ballot station staff across south London and north Surrey for industrial action over ticket office closures.

The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) confirmed on Wednesday workers staff across Govia Thameslink Railways (GTR) would be given the option to either strike or undertake industrial action short of striking.

More than 1,000 members of staff will be balloted.

Southern Rail, Thameslink and Gatwick Express trains are all part of GTR – and Southern trains are currently operating on a reduced schedule on an indefinite basis.

RMT said it was ‘totally opposed’ to the proposed ticket office closures, which they estimate would cost at least 130 jobs.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: ““The basket-case Govia Thamelink franchise are at it again.

“Not content with axing catering services, closing ticket offices and attacking the role of their guards they now want to threaten 130 station jobs and compromise the safety of both their passengers and staff alike.”

GTR branded industrial action "unwarranted" and claimed the ballot was "clearly another bid by the union to disrupt passengers".

Keith Jipps, passenger service director, said: "Our new station hosts will be paid more, be able to work in safety and provide passengers with better customer service, but the RMT is not concerned with improving the experience for passengers and are dismissing significant improvements to the terms and conditions for staff.”