The South-East Wales Transport Alliance (SEWTA) has accused the UK Department for Transport of regarding Wales as "peripheral" after approving the removal of the 5.15pm commuter train between Cardiff and Swansea and plans to slash the number of trains stopping at Severn Tunnel Junction.

In an angrily worded letter to Transport secretary Douglas Alexander, Caerphilly Labour councillor Tom Williams, chairman of Sewta, says, "The new timetable was not generally welcomed and blame for service changes and cuts was passed from First Great Western to the Department for Transport and vice-versa. Much attention was focused on the West Country which, in comparison with South Wales, was much more affected by the changes and the clamour led to a revised specification being agreed for West Country services.

"In the case of Wales, very few of the submissions appear to have received a formal response, other than recognition of their receipt. Those that did resulted from writing again to First Great Western to seek such a response. Regrettably, it is apparent that all responses and suggestions relating to South Wales and Bristol services have been totally ignored. This is unacceptable.

"You should be aware that in South-East Wales we have developed a comprehensive rail strategy as part of our new integrated approach for the Regional Transport delivery strategy. This strategy envisages major improvements to rail services as a backbone for the transport network and as a major contributor to your government's economic, social and environmental objectives. To have serious cuts in rail services at this stage undermines our efforts to convince the motorist in particular that we are serious in these endeavours and will force numerous current rail users back onto the roads.

"The decision to terminate the 1515 London Paddington to Swansea at Cardiff is unbelievable, given the numbers of passengers using that train and the responses to the February consultation, which were sent from Sewta and many others from South and South-West Wales."