We learned from errors, says rail firm

2:14pm Thursday 15th February 2007

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A series of "gradual" timetable changes on the train line between Fenchurch Street and Shoebury will be brought in this year, bosses have said.

However, rail operator c2c said it had learnt its lesson from the fiasco in December, when the new winter timetable - which brought sweeping changes for commuters in many areas - caused misery for thousands.

Changes are now due to be made in May and December this year, but no final decisions have been made on the specific details.

Graham Bashford, spokesman for c2c, said the company was being much more open with rail user groups since December, when changes such as the loss of Laindon starter trains were introduced.

Mr Bashford said: "While we can't speak to all our 25,000 customers, we are dealing more with the user groups.

"What we are trying to do is make sure that the commuters in Thurrock get more frequent trains between 8.30am and 10am, which is referred to as the shoulder peak time.

"The problem was that this group of people would have benefited from the new timetable, so they lost out when the old timetable were reinstated."

Mr Bashford said the company wanted to ensure Thurrock commuters got a better service, without the changes affecting other travellers too heavily.

He added: "We have learnt from the problems in December and will be introducing the changes more gradually."

Mr Bashford also said longer term improvements were planned with Network Rail, including lengthening the platform at Grays and having more services from Shoebury running to West Ham.

Adrian Brown, from the Thurrock Rail Users' Group, said: "We welcome c2c's plans to introduce some additional services in the fringes of the peaks later this year.

"Also, after many years of pressure, c2c is now finally persuaded to try to provide a viable late-evening service through Thurrock, with half-hourly intervals up until later last trains."