A CAMPAIGN to ensure trains continue to start from Laindon has gathered 400 signatures in just 24 hours.

Commuter Luke Mackenzie set up the Change.org petition after hearing of operator c2c’s plans to change its timetables.

Under the proposed changes, which could come into effect from December next year, trains would only start at Shoeburyness or Leigh at peak times.

Mr Mackenzie, 28, of Durham Road, Laindon, said: “For Laindon commuters this decision would increase overcrowding and I think it would be the same for West Horndon and Upminster commuters.

“When non-starter trains arrive they are choc-a-block by the time they get to Laindon and starter trains here are by the time they get to Barking and West Ham.

“I did expect this response to the campaign as people in Laindon are very fond of the starter trains – people have moved there because of them.

“A similar campaign happened a couple of years ago when they tried to impose changes.”

A spokesman for c2c said: “For Laindon, what we are proposing is stopping more trains there and having a service which has more trains with seats available on them. We are currently consulting on the proposals and are urging as many people as possible to respond.”

With the current timetable, between 8am and 9am there are three starter trains at Laindon, and another train arriving from another station where seats are deemed “available”. There are also two other trains in this time slot where seats are deemed “unlikely”.

Under the new proposals there would be six trains with seats “available” coming from other stations, three with “some seats”

and one with seats “unlikely”.

To view the petition, visit www.change.org/search?utf8=% E2%9C%93&q=Laindon C2c has pledged to increase capacity at the busiest times.

Last week it launched a threemonth consultation on the proposals, revealed in the Echo, which would see peak capacity increase by 16 per cent but with trains stopping at more stations.

There would be a minimum of four trains per hour at every station during peak times and faster off-peak times to and from London. The operator will also buy 17 more trains, which will increase carriage capacity by 20 per cent from 2019.

Some commuters have voiced concerns about every train calling at Barking, West Ham and Limehouse, fearing it will increase journey times.

c2c managing director Julian Drury said: “We are proposing these timetable changes to address two of the biggest issues for our passengers: Crowding, and their changing travel patterns that require frequent links to main interchange stations.”

Passengers can find more information and can respond to the consultation at c2crail.co.uk /consult_tt until January 15.