CONFUSION surrounds plans to close the ticket office at Northwich station for rebuilding work after conflicting statements were issued by train and rail bosses.

Part of the station's roof collapsed in May last year with rubble falling onto the station platform and on one of the waiting rooms.

In June an application to rebuild the Manchester Road building - which dates back to the 1800s - was submitted by Network Rail, the organisation which owns and operates Britain's railway infrastructure, to Cheshire West and Chester Council’s planning department.

Passenger groups, local councillors and the town's MP have been pressing train bosses and the government for progress on the rebuild.

And rail company Northern - which operates the station - recently sent an email which was forwarded to councillors. The email, seen by the Guardian, stated the ticket office was due to close earlier this week and remain closed for the rest of the year so work could be carried out.

It stated: “I am writing to advise you that the ticket office at Northwich Station will close temporarily August 27. It will remain closed until early 2023. This is to allow Network Rail operatives access to begin the rebuilding works.

"I wanted to get this initial information out to you straight away and we will keep you informed of schedules and progress as soon as we receive it.”

But when approached for comment by the Guardian, Network Rail said there were no plans to close the ticket office.

It said: “We’re currently in detailed discussions with Cheshire West council to finalise our plans for the rebuild of Northwich station.

"While this is ongoing there is no firm date for when work can start.

"In the meantime, station operator Northern will be keeping the ticket office open for passengers. As soon as our planning application is approved, we will let passengers know in advance about changes to station access during construction work.”

When approached about the reason for the apparently conflicting information, neither Network Rail nor Northern provided further comment.

Writing on social media, the town’s MP Mike Amesbury had earlier called for progress on the rebuild. He said: “The station should never have got into such a state that it collapsed. Somebody could have been killed or seriously injured.”