Commuters angry at planned cuts in some mainline rail services have welcomed last-minute changes to the timetable aimed at addressing their concerns.

Passengers using the Severn Tunnel Junction in Rogiet, Monmouthshire, were told trains between Newport and Bristol that stop there were being cut.

First Great Western's new changes mean more commuter train stops.

Commuters called it "minor victory," but they said they remained unclear over evening services.

The company said the revised timetable would now include 0654 and 0754 Severn Tunnel Junction stops on its 0630 and 0730 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour train services, which had not been dropped from the original December timetable.

"It just goes to show what you can do standing up and shouting about something" - Simon Marshall, commuter

But campaigners said they were still "unclear" about whether evening stops would be revised.

Andrew Griffiths of First Great Western said the company had reviewed its plans for the timetable after a "strong response" from passengers to the changes.

"In recent weeks, our planning team has been working very hard behind the scenes. Their success in including these stops follow detailed liaison with train operating companies, Network Rail and the Department for Transport," he said.

"It is extremely unusual for changes to be made in 'extra time' so late in the timetable planning process, but the importance of this stop warrants special treatment."

'Crowding in'

Simon Marshall who uses the station to commute from his home in Magor, Monmouthshire to Bristol, was part of an action group set up after the announcement was made that some of the services were to be stopped at Severn Tunnel Junction.

"I think this will be a relief to everyone, people won't now have to worry about crowding in on the 0726 or 0826 trains," he said.

"We are pleased they've reinstated the services but it's a bit of a minor victory for us because we are still unclear about the evening services.

"But it just goes to show what you can do standing up and shouting about something," he added.

He said the action group would continue to monitor any future plans to alter the timetable and also wanted to campaign for better facilities at the station and pressure for more stops at the station.

See also:

First Great Western: 7 December 2006

First Great Western has announced some late changes to its new timetable, which goes live on December 11.

It will include two additional Severn Tunnel Junction stops, and a new service from Bristol Temple Meads to Bath.

Severn Tunnel Junction

First Great Western will now include 0654 and 0754 Severn Tunnel Junction stops on its 0630 and 0730 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour train services, which had not been specified in the December timetable.

Says Andrew Griffiths, First Great Western’s Regional Stakeholder Manager: "I am
delighted we are able to offer these services for the commuters of the Caldicot and
Magor area.

"We conducted an extensive consultation exercise about the new timetable
earlier in the year and received over 9,500 replies. Only a couple of dozen responses
raised any objections to these service not being included.

“However, in subsequent public meetings which followed the announcement of our finalised December timetable, we received a far stronger response from customers who use Severn Tunnel Junction than expected.

“In recent weeks, our planning team has been working very hard behind the scenes. Their success in including these stops follow detailed liaison with train operating companies, Network Rail and the Department for Transport.

"It is extremely unusual for changes to be made in 'extra time' so late in the timetable planning process, but the importance of this stop warrants special treatment.

“It has only been possible because these are extra stops on routes our trains are already travelling, which means no extra staff, rolling stock or impact on performance. The co-operation of our industry colleagues has been a key factor.

“From the outside, railway timetabling may appear simple, but in reality it is a complex jigsaw."

New Bristol to Bath service

Another late change to the new timetable is an additional morning train between Bristol Temple Meads station and Bath Spa. The new 0834 train will stop at Keynsham at 0841, Oldfield Park at 0848 and arrive at Bath Spa at 0850.

Says Andrew Griffiths: “This very late change is only possible because we found a way to make use of what was originally empty rolling stock being moved to the start point of another service. Additional train crew have now been identified, making it possible to carry passengers on board.