East Devon MPs are hitting out against plans to scrap train ticket offices at Exmouth, Honiton, Axminster and Feniton. 

The changes, including the creation of a single team of colleagues at each station and the closure of all ticket offices, are being put to a three-week public consultation. 

Read more: The ticket office at Exmouth train station could be axed

MP for East Devon Simon Jupp has written an open letter to South Western Railway which reads: "I wish to express my deep concerns over SWR's proposals for Honiton and Feniton which would result in a significant impact on staffing hours at both stations. These plans desperately need a re-think. 

"While I welcome your plans to increase staffing hours in Axminster, your proposals to cut staffing in Honiton on weekdays and Sundays alongside the complete removal of a Friday service in Feniton is completely unacceptable. This is stark contrast with GWR's proposals which will see no changes to staffing in Exmouth.

"I'm urging East Devon residents to take part in the consultation on these changes which closes on July 26. As a regular passenger from Honiton station. I urge you to urgently re-think your plans for Honiton and Feniton. SWR must take this opportunity to listen to passengers."

Richard Foord MP for Tiverton and Honiton added: “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 demand that SWR maintains the availability of ticket sales at local stations.”