THE morning commuter train that serves Teignmouth, Dawlish and Starcross for Exeter could be reinstated by next summer. The 7.18am First Great Western service from Paignton to Exeter Central, which calls at Teignmouth at 7.44am, will be cut from December 10 because the company claims it is already meeting minimum service targets set by government. It means that commuters for work or college will have a long wait or face being late for the usual 9am start during the cold winter months. Teignbridge Council has held talks with the company after it was approached by residents who were afraid of being left out in the cold. Its leader, Cllr Alan Connett, said that he highlighted the real problems created for residentsd by the loss of the service. 'We are very hopeful that the service will be brought back at the earliest opportunity, possibly for the summer timetable,' he said. The winter timetable has been published and is valid until May. A spokesman said: 'First Great Western has planned capacity carefully on our routes and is confident it meets customer demand. 'We will, of course, continue to monitor service requirements on our routes and will reinstate this service if it is possible in the future.' He added that additional services would be run only where there is a commercial case for doing so. Devon County councillor for Teignmouth, Chris Bray, said he had contacted the rail company to ask for the service to be re-instated: 'First Great Western are intending to axe the only train which is suitable for a large number of commuters and students. 'It beggars belief, that at this time of concern about climate change, rail services are being reduced, potentially causing more traffic on our already overcrowded roads.'
