Great Western Railway says it hopes the ticket office at Bath Spa railway station could reopen within days.

The ticket office, where people can go for advice about their travel and to buy tickets not available elsewhere, was unexpectedly and suddenly closed after damage to its roof.

But Great Western Railway has insisted it is planning to reopen the ticket office and a full range of tickets is still available at Bath Spa.

A spokesperson for Great Western Railway, who run the station, said: “During work on the platform above the ticket office, some plaster from the roof of the ticket office was dislodged, where staff work.

“We have taken the decision to move those staff onto the concourse where they are able to continue to sell the full range of tickets. Unfortunately we are not able to sell railcards, but we are providing the same discounted ticket for customers to enable them to travel to their destination where they will be able to purchase a railcard.

“We are working hard to get the ticket office open again and hope this will happen in the next few days.”

The sudden closure came amid plans to permanently close ticket offices at stations across the country — including Bath Spa.

The Journal received several concerned letters from residents and charities regarding the impact of ticket office closures on disabled and local people.

LDRS, John Wimperis