COMMUTERS and shoppers using Exmouth Train Station from this week will be able to buy a combined parking and train ticket.

COMMUTERS and shoppers using Exmouth Train Station from this week will be able to buy a combined parking and train ticket.

From yesterday passengers arriving before 8.30am could buy a car parking ticket and a return train ticket to any station between Exmouth and Exeter St Davids for �5.

Passengers arriving after 8.30am will only pay �4. The ticket can also be used towards the cost of a longer train journey.

Train season ticket holders will be able to obtain a parking permit from the ticket office to enable them to park free of charge.

Additional parking spaces and a taxi rank have also been created at the station.

The car park is owned by Devon County Council and councillor Stuart Hughes, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation said: "We are very pleased to have entered into this new arrangement with First Great Western. It will overcome the problems faced by rail passengers who, unless arriving very early in the morning, currently find the car park full of cars of non-rail users because it is free. The new charge is very modest when you take into account that it does include a return rail trip to Exeter."

Julian Crow, First Great Western's General Manager for the West of England said "I am delighted that we have been able to resolve a long standing problem and am very pleased to be working closely with Devon County Council in improving overall journey satisfaction for our passengers at one of our busiest branch line stations.

"It also means that a long standing problem with litter will also be overcome as our contractors will be ensuring that litter is removed from the car park on a regular basis"

In future the car park will be managed in partnership by First Great Western through its parking contractor APCOA who will also be responsible for parking enforcement and cleaning.