FIRST Great Western's decision to modify proposed cuts to its new timetable services has been met by a lukewarm reception from Devon County Council, writes Kate Cowling.
After receiving more than 9,000 complaints during its consultation period, railway operator First Group was forced to listen to worried passengers who were concerned that the three-hour trips from Plymouth to London could be lost. First Group was forced to take notice of the growing protest, and on Monday, Alison Forster, managing director, announced that changes were to be made to the timetable. 'As a result of the feedback, we're delighted that we are able to make modifications to the draft timetable,' she said. The announcement coincided with the first day of the company's new Great Western franchise, which was celebrated by a special service which had a new livery on its Paddington to the south west service. The alterations at present include the continuation of two of the London journeys. Ms Forster indicated that additional changes might still be made during the coming weeks. The county council's reaction to the announcement was subdued, principally because train services in Devon, as well as those to the capital, could still be lost. The county council's executive member for the environment, Cllr Margaret Rogers, said: 'We are still concerned about the service reductions included in the draft timetable published earlier in the year. We will continue to press for reinstatement of the services that are no longer in the timetable and try to persuade the company that it must offer local services similar to those which currently operate. Cllr Nick Way, chairman of the Exe Rail partnership, agreed and said that he was 'astonished at the attack on Devon's branch lines and local train services by these savage cuts'. The proposed cuts appear to disregard the growth in passenger numbers on Devon's railways, which Cllr Way suggested was the result of strong support through local authorities, timetable development from Wessex trains, innovation in fares and marketing by the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership.