The Harborough Rail Users group has set up a postal address and email account to galvanise support against the DfT's plans, part of a new East Midlands rail franchise.

They also handed out 500 flyers to passengers at Harborough station on Monday to raise awareness of the DfT's move.

While peak-hour services would be unaffected, off-peak services during the day and at weekends would be halved from two every hour to just one.

The new franchise would combine Midland Mainline and the eastern side of Central Trains with the tendering process due to start in October.

The DfT is promising a faster peak service, reaching London between ten and 20 minutes earlier than now.

Andy Whitman, co-chairman of Harborough Rail Users, said: "We are planning our own response to the proposal and should have that completed by August 4.

"But as an appendix to our response we would like to attach people's individual objections to the move.
"Make no mistake ? this is very serious and we have to fight it. We don't want Harborough to become a second-class station."

A spokesman for the DfT said: "The new franchise will start operating in November next year and will put in place up to five per cent more trains than today.

"The consultation proposes extra capacity to meet anticipated growth in passenger demand including a new outer suburban service between Kettering and London."

To support the Harborough Rail Users campaign write to HRU c/o The Caf?Harborough Rail Station, St Mary's Road, Harborough, Leics. LE16 7DT or email: feedback@harboroughtrains.co.uk