Station reopens to long distance trains after fire

A train station platform has reopened a month after a devastating fire.

Network Rail and Great Western Railway (GWR) said full-length access will resume at platform two at Paignton Station in Devon from Monday, allowing nine-carriage trains four days earlier than previously expected.

Long-distance trains have been unable to call at the station, although it reopened to local stopping services between Paignton and Newton Abbot which could use the far end of the platform, a week after the fire on 21 July.

The ticket office, the main station entrance, and footbridge remain closed whilst repair work continues.

A temporary ticket office is in use during the restoration work and passengers are accessing platform one via a ramp at the end of the platform next to the level crossing.

Network Rail route infrastructure engineer, Daniel Parkes, said: "Reinstating access to the full length of platform two ahead of schedule is the result of a huge team effort from colleagues across the railway industry who have worked tirelessly since the fire to ensure we could restore long-distance services to Paignton as safely and as swiftly as possible."

Stephanie Chapman, GWR station manager for South Devon said: "This milestone means more passengers can travel to and from Paignton as normal, taking full advantage of the benefits of rail once more."

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