THE Green Party parliamentary candidate for Yeovil has visited the Crewkerne railway station ticket office and said she is “concerned” it “may be reducing its opening hours”.

Serena Wootton, who was at the station yesterday (Thursday, September 14), is worried the proposed about the possible closure of local ticket offices.

She said: “I visited the ticket office in Crewkerne today to find out more about the possible ticket office closure.

“I use this local station when travelling by train and I’m very concerned to hear it may be reducing its opening hours.

“This ticket machine can’t help travellers with mobility issues, can’t open the public toilets or help with a ticket when using multiple train companies.

“I would be interested in your views about the planned reduced hours or possible closure of ticket offices locally. Will this affect you and your decisions to use this station?”

The Chard and Ilminster News has contacted MP Marcus Fysh for a comment.

A message on the Rail Delivery Group website on the proposed changes said: “These proposals are designed to move staff out of ticket offices and onto station platforms and concourses to support better, face-to-face interactions, with the potential to close ticket offices in a number of locations.

“New, multi-skilled ‘customer help’ roles – which are already in place at many stations – will mean staff are able to help more customers across a whole range of needs, from buying tickets to offering travel advice and helping those with accessibility needs.

“If accepted, the proposed changes would be phased in gradually. Ticket office facilities will remain open at the busiest stations and interchanges, selling the full range of tickets.”

Back in July, train operators extended the time available to respond to the consultation reviewing how tickets are sold at stations.

Passengers had their chance to have their say through a consultation that closed on September 1.

The results of the consultation are expected to be published before Christmas.

SWR operates services between Exeter St. David’s and London Waterloo via Crewkerne, Yeovil Junction, and Templecombe – with the long-term prospect of services calling at a new Chard Parkway station near Tatworth.

The office in Crewkerne is closed on Sundays and is only open during the mornings on the other days of the week.