Epsom should be placed into Zone 6 when the Oyster Card comes to the town next year, councillors have demanded.

MP Chris Grayling said yesterday he had received confirmation from train company Southern that the Oyster Card would be introduced at Epsom station, with an expected start date of next September.

Southern’s existing franchise, to run Epsom station, will continue until next July, at which point it will join the newly-formed Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) franchise. 

Under this new franchise, it has been agreed that Epsom will be brought into either Zone 6 or 7 - a point which Mr Grayling said has yet to be decided.

He said that he is due to meet the Secretary of State for Transport in the future to discuss this. 

But Epsom’s councillors have slammed any attempt to put it in Zone 7, insisting it would be unfair to Epsom when stations further out from London, such as Epsom Downs and Tattenham Corner, are in Zone 6.

A GTR spokeswoman said the issue of whether Epsom will be in Zone 6 or 7 is still to be negotiated between the Department for Transport and TfL, nearer the time, with GTR implementing the decision.

She said: "The Oyster scheme is planned to be extended to Epsom in September 2015, this is subject to the agreement of the Department of Transport and Transport for London

"Further information is yet to be confirmed and will be released at an appropriate time."

Epsom councillor Clive Woodbridge, chairman of the Residents’ Association group of councillors, said it would be "deliberately perverse" if Epsom was not put into Zone 6.

He said: "It only makes sense if Epsom is in Zone 6 otherwise it doesn’t really alter the existing dynamic.  

"If there is still going to be a significant difference in the cost between Epsom and other stations that situation will be perpetuated and would be rather unfair.

"It’s good that the Oyster Card is going to be accepted as that’s a great inconvenience for people.

"As an RA we are pleased that the representations we have made to Chris Grayling, ministers and the Mayor of London have had some impact.  And Chris Grayling has taken up the cause, as well as the Epsom Guardian.

"It’s not unreasonable to expect Epsom to be in Zone 6, given it’s about a three minute journey from Ewell West, in Zone 6, on the train.  

"The campaign is about the Oyster Card and to get Epsom into Zone 6.  The campaign continues."

Lib Dem Epsom councillor Colin Taylor, said he too only supports Zone 6 for Epsom.

He said: "Being in the Oyster system is the key thing, but when even Tadworth is in Zone 6 putting Epsom in Zone 7 would be illogical and unfair. 

"Why penalise Epsom for providing the railways with more passengers?"

Mr Grayling said, that as part of the new franchise, there are no plans to bring stations such as Ashtead or Leatherhead into a London zone.

Thousands of people have backed our campaign for Epsom to be included in Zone 6.

YOUR SAY

"Zone 7? I guess it's a start, but it seems like a bit of a cop-out." - Angela M

"My concern is the extra cost of traveling from Zone 6 instead of 7.  We are closer geographically to the heart of London than Tattenham or Caterham, so assigning Epsom Zone 7 makes little sense." - AlphaBetty

"Epsom should be in Zone 6. However Zone 7 is better than not being accessible with an Oyster Card at all." - Robert Leach, UKIP Parliamentary Candidate for Epsom and Ewell 

Do you want Zone 6 for Epsom? Sign the Epsom Guardian's online petition at www.epsomguardian.co.uk/zone6/petition.