ONE of the busiest commuter trains from Dawlish to Exeter is to be scrapped. From December, the packed 7.46am service will cease under First Great Western's new timetable. When it comes into force, the nearest train time to replace it will be a 500-seat high speed train at 8.18am. This leaves, at a peak travelling time, an hour between commuter trains. In recent years the two-carriage train, running in both directions, has come under fire from local councillors, Teignbridge MP Richard Younger-Ross and residents for being too small and crowded. Aside from being crammed with commuters every day, it is also full of students going to Exeter College during term time. businessman Michael Clarke regularly uses the 7.46am service to get him to work on time in Exeter. It takes him 20 minutes to walk to his office from the station. 'It now looks like I'm going to have to be very early, or late every day,' he said. 'The train we have right now leaves at just the right time. I don't understand why it has to be changed.' Another commuter, Becky Mason, said the scheduled reshuffle would cause her to be late for work. A spokesman for First Great Western said the changes to the timetable stemmed from the results of a national consultation undertaken by the rail company. 'Some people will benefit from the new times, but there are others who will now have to look at their journey arrangements,' he said. 'Unfortunately, we are not in a position to provide services that time it exactly right for people. 'The impact of the new timetable will vary for passengers, and depends on what time their journey to and from the station is.' He said the changes at Dawlish were because 500-seat high-speed trains to London were now going to stop at the town, replacing the current two-carriage train. 'This will be a benefit for many people,' he added. 'There will be many more seats on this.' The chairman of the Dawlish Chamber of Trade, Bob Bowen, said: 'From the point of view of trying to get people out of cars and using public transport, First Great Western's view doesn't make sense. 'The 7.46am train is always packed and it's the most popular time for people to travel in the morning. 'It is not an "improvement" that First Great Western claim. It is taking away a train service at the peak user time.' At today's timetable, early trains from Dawlish to Exeter leave at 6.07am, 6.51am, 7.46am, 8.19am and 8.54am. From December, they will leave at 6.15am, 6.39am, 7.20am, 8.18am and 8.50am. Teignbridge Council leader Cllr Alan Connett said: 'Two commuters have contacted me about this, but I know it affects many more than that. 'The 7.46am service is a key train and many of the students who received their results last week will, in the main, be going to Exeter College. 'The train is a valuable lifeline and I think it should be kept. 'The problem with the proposed 8.18am train is that if you start work at 8.30am or need to get to college, I just think it leaves timing a bit tight.' Cllr Connet added: 'A lot of people like the 7.46am service as it gets them to work on time, or ready and present at college. 'It is an important train.'
