Axminster and Honiton train station could lose its ticket offices, under new plans outlined yesterday, (July 5).

Proposed changes outlined by South Western Railway say they are 'changing the way it sells tickets and provides customer service at its stations.'

A consultation has been launched by Transport Focus, the independent transport user watchdog by Wednesday, July 26. using the details below.

SWR says that the "proposal forms part of plans to modernise the railway and bring it more in line with modern consumer expectations. It reflects significantly reduced usage of ticket offices over the past decade as customers move to alternative, more convenient ways of buying tickets.

"It is proposed that ticket office windows at Honiton will close with staff moving to other station areas where they are better placed to help customers buy tickets and provide expert travel advice information and assistance for customers. For a comparison of current and proposed station staffing hours, visit the website.

"Customers will still be able to access the same products and services as they do today through SWR's website, our mobile app, contactless payment pay-as-you-go, and at the customer contact centre or at the station.

"We will continue to meet all our commitments on providing accessibility for passengers including passengers with reduced mobility and people requiring in-person assistance. Full Details on how we will provide this can be found on the SWR website. Paper copies of the consultation and also be requested at the station."

Email ticketoffice.swr@transportfocus.org.uk. or Post RTEH-XAGE-BYKZ, Transport Focus, PO BOX 5594, Southend on Sea, SS1 9PZ.

Commenting, Richard Foord MP 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.” 

For more information about how to comment on the plans visit www.transportfocus.org.uk