A consultation over plans to close almost all railway ticket offices in the country has been extended by an extra five and a half weeks.

Earlier this month (5 July), rail firms announced a nationwide plan to close ticket offices. The original consultation was due to end yesterday (26 July) but has now been extended until September 1 due to large amounts of feedback.

Great Western Rail provided a reason on their website for why ticket offices, including Truro, would be closing. They said: "Digital tickets have made it easier and faster for customers to buy and manage tickets online, which means fewer people than ever are using ticket offices.

"The approach would help bring station retailing up-to-date from 1996 when the rules on how to sell tickets were set and before the invention of the smartphone. Back then, 82% of all tickets were sold at ticket offices nationally, compared to less than 15% on average today."

Rail companies have also stated the move would free up staff to work around the station and be able to help more passengers.

Falmouth may not have a ticket office but since the only way to get to and from the town by train is through Truro it could be a concern for rail users.

Local Cllr and Labour parliamentary candidate for Truro and Falmouth, Janye Kirkham, has been extremely vocal about the situation.

When the initial announcement was made Jayne said: "I have written to the Secretary of State for Transport and the Managing Director of Great Western Rail, Mark Hopwood, to seek assurances about the future of Truro ticket office and the job security of rail staff.

 "The ticket office at Truro railway station is a lifeline for many passengers, including lots of disabled, elderly, and vulnerable travellers. Especially since the Falmouth branch line has become a penalty fare automated line. I will be fighting to save it from closure."

As Jayne references, if you haven't bought a ticket before getting on the train for the Falmouth line you could be automatically fined £100. Without a ticket office, passengers who may struggle or simply can not use self-service machines or mobile phones could be unfairly punished.

In the letter to the managing director Jayne highlights research by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), that found only 3% of people with sight loss said they could use a ticket vending machine without problems while 58% said it was impossible.

You can find more information and have your say about ticket office closures here: Consultation on changes to ticket offices | Great Western Railway