Chapel-en-le-Frith Parish Council issues warning over rail ticket fines

The advice comes after Chapel man Craig Stretch was given a £20 penalty when he turned up at Manchester Piccadilly in December without a ticket.

Retail manager Craig, 38, told the Advertiser how the ticket machine was only visible for those travelling to Buxton - leaving those going to Manchester clueless as to how to pay their fare.

However residents say those who do pass the machine while travelling to Buxton often miss it as there was no signage identifying it as a ticket machine.

A resident who regularly uses the station but wanted to remain anonymous said: “For anyone using the level crossing to the Manchester platform their route takes them nowhere near the machine.

“And the machine is just a big blue box with no signage for anyone travelling to Buxton.”

Charles Lawley, the parish council’s vice chair, said he was aware of three separate incidents where Chapel residents had boarded the train unaware of the ticket machine and been fined after trying to pay at Manchester Piccadilly.

He said: “We would like to warn residents that there is a ticket machine by the entrance of the first platform and that the rail provider requires you to purchase a ticket.

“Both myself and John Brook from the Friends of Chapel Station have previously raised our concerns with Northern Rail about the inadequate signage at the station to inform commuters that there is a ticket machine now present and that they must buy a ticket before boarding.

“The rail operator has indicated they will improve the signage at the station and we as a parish council will be pressing them to deliver this and we will be writing to them to show understanding for Chapel residents in the meantime.

“Anyone who feels they have been unfairly fined due to poor signage can contact either the Parish Council on [email protected] myself on [email protected] and I will attempt to take up your case with the provider.”