Local MP condemns closure of ticket offices

Honiton's MP Richard Foord has condemned the closing of ticket stations across East Devon.

The proposals, which were announced yesterday, would affect 153 of South Western Railway's 190 stations, including Honiton.

According to South Western Railway, only 12% of tickets are bought in stations and the changes would be part of a 'modernisation' strategy to remove ticket offices and replace them with 'multi-skilled' staff on the platforms who can help passengers buy tickets and assist them in other ways.

The changes are being put to a three-week public consultation.

Mr Foord objects to the planned changes on the grounds that they will further isolate individuals who are elderly or who struggle to use ticket machines, perhaps due to a disability.

He said: "Local ticket offices like those in Honiton, Feniton, and Axminster are key for many people to get tickets and to get help with their journey. Ticket offices play a crucial role in helping people travel – particularly older and more vulnerable customers. 

"These proposed changes are deeply concerning, particularly for rural communities like ours.  Some railway stations are already poorly served; Feniton station, for example, is only staffed in the morning. 

 "This very short 'consultation' seems more like a foreclosure notice - one which will leave our communities poorer. We must avoid the same digital exclusion on our railways that we are already seeing wrought by banks and big businesses. 

 "This is unacceptable. I will be making the case directly with South Western Railway about why these changes could make rail travel more difficult for some of those people who already lack confidence in travelling by train. 

"I am grateful to constituents who have written to me to make their feelings known. They can be reassured - I will continue to demand that SWR maintains the availability of ticket sales at local stations." 

You can have your say on the proposed changes here.