THE DEADLINE for responses to the consultation into the proposed closure of railway station ticket offices is tomorrow. 

Plans to shut the ticket offices were announced by the Rail Delivery Group in an effort to reduce costs as it says the numbers of people using ticket offices has dropped. 

But the proposals have been met with concern from unions and disability groups.

Under the plans, manned ticket offices in Newton Abbot, Teignmouth and Dawlish stations could be shut. 

Tomorrow is the final day of a 21-day public consultation launched to collect passengers’ views.

Posters have gone up in stations, inviting the public to take part, after which the government will make the final decision on which offices will close.

The RDG said 12per cent of train tickets are bought from offices at stations, down from 85per cent in 1995.

Nearly all ticket offices could be shut with only the busiest stations left with open person-operated ticket facilities with the RDG unable to say how many jobs could be lost.

Closing all the offices will be done over three years Great Western Railway has reassured customers that some staff will take on roles as platform assistants.

Anne Marie Morris, Newton Abbot MP whose constituency includes the three Teignbridge stations, said: ‘It is both unacceptable and irresponsible for GWR to propose closing our ticket offices at Dawlish and Teignmouth railway stations in October.’

Comments can be made by contacting Transport Focus, the independent transport user watchdog.