Leading Sutton Liberal Democrats met with Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) yesterday following concerns over a proposed decrease of train services in Hackbridge during peak times.

Almost 600 people signed a petition against a potential cut to services from Hackbridge to London Victoria in the mornings and evenings.

A ‘Save our Hackbridge Trains’ group was established to campaign for more services in Hackbridge.

GTR is introducing a revised timetable in May 2018 across the South East.

Carshalton & Wallington MP Tom Brake commented: “During the meeting, I reinforced the need for more trains to stop at Hackbridge station, especially at peak times.

“The proposed cut in service is completely unacceptable to local residents who have been campaigning hard on this issue. Over the coming weeks, I will be following this closely and working with local residents and Councillors to make sure that we get a better service for Hackbridge residents.’’

Sutton Guardian asked Govia whether any progress had been made to amend the proposed Hackbridge timetable.

A spokesman replied: “The new May 2018 timetable will give passengers across the South East better, more reliable journeys and new seamless journeys across London through an expanded Thameslink network.

"But the proposed changes are so big, we went out 18 months before they were due to start, to ask our passengers and stakeholders for their views so we could best shape the timetable to their needs.

"We really do listen and will be looking at how we can incorporate the improvements requested into the final timetable. We hope to announce the results of this review later, this autumn."

Cllr Jill Whitehead, who was also in attendance, said: “Sutton is one of a handful of London Boroughs without a tube station. That means we are almost entirely dependent on rail services to travel to and from Central London.

“Overall, we welcome the proposed additional local services, but it’s important that we see an increase of services in the morning and evening at Hackbridge station. It just doesn’t make sense to have an additional 700 homes around the station and fewer services.’’

Cllr Jayne McCoy added that if the borough is to deliver more "much needed homes" and develop the London Cancer Hub then additional rail services would be encouraged.