Rail bosses will be summoned by politicians to answer questions about plans to close ticket offices at stations in Birmingham.

Managers at London Midland will be asked to come to the next meeting of regional transport body Centro to be grilled over proposals to shut five booths and cut hours at dozens more.

Elected members who sit on the authority’s committees said the plans were “appalling” and would make passengers travelling in the evenings feel less safe.

Centro has no legal powers to demand that London Midland bosses attend but claimed they had an “obligation” to attend the March 28 meeting.

Responding to calls from councillors, chairman Angus Adams (Con Dudley) said: “I am more than happy to invite them.

“I’m quite appalled at the plans and we need an explanation. Whether they will come is a different matter but I believe they have an obligation.”

London Midland, which runs the busy cross city commuter line, has announced a consultation on the closures of ticket offices at Witton, Small Heath, Jewellery Quarter, Adderley Park and Duddeston stations in Birmingham.

Others threatened in the West Midlands include Wythall, Lye and the Bescot Stadium.

Opening hours at a further 78 booths would be drastically reduced as part of the plan to shed 130 jobs.

For example, Erdington and Five Ways stations in Birmingham are currently open until after 11.30pm but could close as early as 7pm during the week.

Sandwell councillor Roger Horton (Labour Soho and Victoria) said: “I’m very concerned at this from a safety point of view.