Rail station partially reopens a week after blaze

A railway station has partially reopened a week after a fire caused "significant damage".

Paignton station closed following the blaze on 22 July which gutted the station building and surrounding railway infrastructure.

Three boys aged 13, 15 and 16 were later arrested on suspicion of arson and British Transport Police said a 14-year-old was arrested on suspicion of arson after the initial arrests. All the boys have been released on conditional bail.

Great Western Railway (GWR) and Network Rail confirmed services returned to the station from 08:00 BST.

GWR said trains between Paignton and Newton Abbot would return, but the damaged caused to the platform meant it would remain temporarily closed to nine carriage trains which provide direct services between Paignton and London Paddington.

Long-distance services would continue to start and terminate at Exeter St Davids or Newton Abbot until further notice, it added.

Alternative arrangements for entering and exiting the station and temporary ticketing facilities would be in place, while the car park would remain closed.

GWR spokesperson Joe Graham apologised for disruption and said the station would not be fully open while repair work continued.

He said all temporary facilities had been assessed to ensure they met disability access requirements, and updated fire safety and evacuation plans and signage were in place.

Daniel Parkes from Network Rail said "restoring services as swiftly and as safely as possible" was a priority and "while passengers will be able to travel to and from Paignton, work to fully rebuild parts of the station will continue for some time".

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