Campaign to save train station ticket office heats up

Petition launched and letters written to government

A campaign to save the ticket office at Paignton Railway Station is gathering pace.

A petition to fight the proposed closure is underway, and Torbay Council has been in touch with the secretary of state for transport to air its concerns.

Whilst nationally fewer than 15 per cent of tickets are now bought at ticket offices, Paignton has one of the highest percentages of passengers still using them. Over the last year, two in five (41 per cent) of tickets for trains leaving Paignton – 75,595 in all – were sold at the station’s ticket office.

The campaign to halt the closure is being led by Paignton newsagent and rail enthusiast Cllr John Fellows (Con, Goodrington with Roselands) and

Torbay’s Conservative MP Kevin Foster.

Mr Foster said: “The petition highlights how the closure would especially impact those with disabilities and the digitally excluded, with the demand from customers for the ticket office showing the numbers this would affect in Paignton.

“I would urge everyone who values this service to make their voice heard on its future.”

Cllr Steve Darling (Lib Dem, Barton with Watcombe) called on the council to make urgent representations, and said: “Ticket offices play a crucial role in helping people travel, particularly for older and more vulnerable customers who may prefer to use cash or struggle to use the self-service ticket machines.

“As a registered blind person, I know that these changes will be very challenging. I believe that everyone should be able to access vital services in person.”