AN MP has claimed a partial victory in a campaign against proposals to cut the number of trains serving two stations.

As featured reported in The Gazette, South Western Railway (SWR) has proposed a change in some rail services running to London which would see a reduction in the number of trains stopping at Hook and Winchfield from four to two each hour during the morning peak, as well as increased journey times and new changes at Woking.

MP for North East Hampshire Ranil Jayawardena has launched a petition against the proposals and met with Andy Mellors, SWR managing director, on October 25 in the Houses of Parliament to discuss these proposed timetable changes that would be implemented from December 2018.

Mr Jayawardena said: “I asked Andy Mellors, managing director of South Western Railway, to meet me in Westminster so he could hear the strength of feeling on the original proposals from me personally.”

As a result of this meeting, SWR has now committed to consult on an alternative timetable which protects the level of service while boosting the number of seats and speeding up some journeys.

Mr Jayawardena added: “The fact that South Western Railway has issued a revised timetable for consultation now demonstrates their willingness to listen and I welcome this.

“We mustn’t leave matters there though - we could still end up with the original, disastrous proposals if people don’t back the next stage of my campaign.

“If you have not yet signed my petition, please do. If you have not yet shared it with your friends and family - or fellow passengers - please do.

“Every person counts.”

This comes as welcome news to residents of Hook with many worried about the impact the proposed timetables would have on commuting times, overcrowding, road congestion and carbon footprint.

During the meeting, Ranil Jayawardena also suggested reinstating a stop at Clapham Junction and adding a further stop at Fleet and Farnborough stations during the morning peak to be considered by South Western Railway.

The petition against the proposed cuts started on October 9 and will be available to be signed until November 5. It can be found at bit.ly/hookwinchfield.

Mr Jayawardena will present the petition to parliament in November.