Derek Thomas, MP for St Ives, West Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has launched a campaign in a bid to save a train station ticket office amid rumours of closure.

The campaign follows speculation that the ticket office at Penzance train station is on a list for closure drawn up by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers, although this is not official.

While the Railway Delivery Group has declared 'no decisions have been taken' regarding ticket offices.

To combat this the MP has launched a survey to find out how many people in West Cornwall rely on in-person ticket purchases that the office provides.

Derek said: “I’ve been exposed to gentle lobbying as I’ve gone into the ticket office in Penzance to buy my ticket to Paddington. I’m told repeatedly that the ticket office is to close!

“I’m not aware of any decision to close Penzance ticket office and I’ve done a lot of digging.

“But we need to make sure GWR know the strength of feeling locally before they make any decisions – we can’t let the threat of passengers being abandoned to their own devices hang over us.

“Whatever decision is made, I’ll work to ensure the excellent staff at Penzance are on hand to assist passengers!”

You can fill in the survey online by clicking here, alternatively hard copies are available at Derek's office 200 yards from Penzance station or by calling 01736 363038

There is allocated room on the survey for respondents to mention any other facilities they would like to see retained or returned. Rail passengers from Penzance have previously asked Derek about left luggage stores or catering facilities, and this survey is an opportunity to show how widespread these requirements are.

A spokesperson for the Rail Delivery Group, which represents train operators told the Packet on behalf of GWR: “The pandemic has been an unprecedented financial shock to the railway. While no decisions have been taken over ticket offices, with the acceleration of changing travel patterns and more passengers migrating to digital technology, many jobs will need to change to become more passenger-centric.

"Train companies want to work with unions on how to address those changes, while making sure the industry takes no more than its fair share from the taxpayer.”