COMMUTERS who regularly use Benfleet station are hopeful plans to overhaul the c2c timetable will benefit them.

The train operator is currently consulting on proposals which would see some trains start at Leigh rather than Laindon. This in turn should free up seats for those waiting at Benfleet – one of the busiest stations on the line.

The changes, which could come into effect in December 2015, would see 31 peak-time trains stop at Benfleet rather than the current 24.

Commuter Justin Franklin, 34, of High Street, Benfleet, said: “This sounds like the way forward to me. Something’s got to give and these plans seem like they will work for the many of us who use this station day, day out.”

Fellow commuter Jane Smith, 22, of Long Road, Canvey, added: “So many people get on at Benfleet. We need extra carriages, it is the busiest station.

“There are just huge queues of people at every single door of every single carriage. You have to be there 20 minutes before your train arrives to be at the front of the queue and when you get on people are fighting to get seats.”

However, in Laindon commuters have hit out at the plans – and even launched a petition against the changes which attracted 400 signatures in just 24 hours.

Luke Mackenzie, 28, of Durham Road, said: “When non-starter trains arrive they are choc-a-block by the time they get to Laindon and starter trains are by the time they get to Barking and West Ham.

“We have already got a good service in Laindon and commuters for the most part are happy.

“I think if something is not broke, don’t try to fix it.”

He believes Laindon will suffer at the expense of fixing overcrowding further down the line.

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 the main interchange stations.

“We’ll support this with other improvements to passengers’ journeys, such as investment in stations, new wifi and smartcards.”

Passengers can find tailored information about their individual stations and respond to the consultation at c2crail.co.uk/consult_ tt The consultation closes on January 15.