Since timetable changes in December, passengers have faced cuts to the number of seats and trains in Bristol.

Bristol East MP Kerry McCarthy was among councillors, union leaders and business chiefs at a meeting called by pressure group Transport 2000 to launch their new "Growing the Railways" campaign.

The drive calls on Rail Minister Tom Harris for a reinstatement of commuter and high-speed services through Bristol, and new carriages to stop overcrowding. Ms McCarthy said: "We've a bus company (First) that isn't reliable, a road system virtually at gridlock and First Great Western (FGW) is operating a rail franchise that is not delivering."

She urged transport planners to support the reopening of the rail line to Portishead, and a half-hourly service on the Severn Beach line. Before the meeting, Transport 2000 launched the campaign with their mascot Sardine Man, to show how passengers are packed into trains, outside Temple Meads.

A spokesman for FGW said they hoped maintenance problems which caused delays would be solved soon, and revealed the firm is to lease between six and eight more carriages to increase its fleet.