Off-peak fares soar on First Great Western

Rail fares on some London routes are to rise by up to 20per cent next month.

First Great Western - owned by transport giant FirstGroup - is to introduce new restrictions on its cheapest off-peak tickets. The price of a cheap off-peak return ticket between Swindon and Paddington will go up £8 to £48.

FGW is also raising some station car parking charges by more than 50 per cent.

The TSSA union accused the company of "slipping in" rises to offset next January's fare cuts, caused by the inflation rate last month being minus 1.2 per cent.

Off-peak and first-class fares are not covered by fare restrictions.