REGULATED rail fares on England are due to rise by an average of 6.2 per cent in January, the Government has confirmed. Fares will rise by an average of 4.2 per cent in Scotland and Wales.

Voices of protest have been raised today, including that of a county councillor who says he is seriously concerned about the effects of the rise.

The figure is based on the Retail Price Index in July, plus 3 per cent, which is a formula introduced by the present Government in 2010.

Ministers say they want to reduce the amount of railway funding which comes each year from taxpayers, and transfer more of the burden to passengers.

The last general increase, in January this year, was capped at RPI+1 per cent, but so far there is no indication that ministers are willing to follow suit for a second year running.

Demonstrations took place in London and other places today. The demonstrators have included the rail unions as well as transport campaigners, some of whom are calling for the railways to be renationalised.

Ellie Harris heads the Bring Back British Rail campaign, which has been demonstrating today alongside other campaign groups as well as the rail unions. She said: "In private ownership, passengers always have to play second fiddle to shareholders, knowing that the extortionate prices they are paying for tickets are not going towards improving the service, but are instead lining the pockets of a wealthy minority who do not even rely on the public transport system."

However, the Government says the extra money will reduce the share of railway cash which has to come from taxpayers, and that the forthcoming rises are not intended to boost the profits of train operators.

Although the figure has now been set, it will not apply uniformly to all regulated fares, which include season tickets. Operators are allowed to set lesser or greater increases to individual fares, so long as the official average is maintained over a 'basket' of fares.

Meanwhile, a Kent county councillor has said he is 'seriously concerned' about the effect of the rise.

Bryan Sweetland, who is Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways & Waste, said: “We recognise that the Government has decided to raise rail fares by the level of inflation + 3 per cent, and that this is not a decision taken by the rail operator, Southeastern. However, we are concerned at the serious impact this will have on families in Kent, at a time when household budgets are very tight.”

Mr Sweetland warned that some stations in Kent could see higher increases, as English operators are entitled to increase or decrease some regulated fares by a further 5 per cent, which could mean increases of up to 11.2 per cent for some next year.

He added: "“Any further increase on top of the proposed 6.2 per cent would be totally unacceptable. Kent County Council urges Southeastern not to impose any higher increases on top of the basic increase. We eventually want to see no increase in rail fares above the level of inflation.”