A CAMPAIGN for cheaper rail fares for commuters is building up steam as many of the town’s top figures get on board.

Kingshill resident Chris Watts started the petition, along with website Fair Fares 4 Swindon, after getting frustrated by high prices from the town.

And so far he has collected more than 100 signatures from business people in support.

People who have signed the petition include council leader Rod Bluh, Swindon Labour Party leader Derique Montaut, Bill Cotton, the director of Forward Swindon, Jo Bobin, who is the vice-president of the Swindon chamber of commerce and the chief executive of Swindon Council, Gavin Jones.

Commuters from the town face some of the highest prices in the region, with a season ticket to London Paddington costing more than £7,000.

“This is not just a few commuters grumbling about the high cost of rail travel from Swindon to London,” said Chris.

“The business community is acutely aware of the barrier that these excessive prices, in comparison to our near neighbours, put in the way of inward investment into the town.

“This affects all Swindonians, train users or not, in this time of austerity when we need an equal playing field to attract new private sector business and commuters to Swindon.”

Many people are concerned not only about the affect it is having on commuters’ wallets but also the impact it is having on businesses in the town and potential investors moving elsewhere.

First Great Western defended prices from Swindon and said that the company believed commuters are getting value for money.

A spokesman said: “Rail travel from Swindon is more popular than ever, with passenger numbers continuing to exceed predicted figures.

“The idea that fares per mile from Swindon are the highest in Europe seems to have come from nowhere, they’re not even the highest in the UK.

“This year, we have kept fares from Swindon as low as possible to help redress the balance.”