An online petition has emerged to raise awareness regarding a proposed reduction of train services in Hackbridge.

‘Save Our Hackbridge Trains’ has over 200 signatures and was initiated by Hackbridge Rail User Group (HRUG).

HRUG was established on Sunday (July 23) by Hackbridge resident Nikki Noodle.

Since Sunday she has been campaigning in the area to inform people of the proposed cuts by Govia Thameslink Railway who are incorporating a revamped timetable in 2018.

Under GTR’s proposed changes, the Hackbridge to London Victoria service from 7am to 10am, which currently has eight trains in that time period, will be cut to six.

During peak evening times from 5pm to 9pm, services will decrease from 13 trains to eight.

Ms Noodle told Sutton Guardian: “When I was campaigning this morning people had absolutely no idea that train services would be cut.

“A lot of people were shocked, some of the stories on our Facebook group are heart breaking. People are saying they will have to quit work or won’t be able to get to work. I was really surprised when I saw the proposal.”

Ms Noodle added that she didn’t understand why Hackbridge train services would be cut especially because of the Hackbridge Regeneration scheme where 725 apartments are being built close to the station.

She added: “This morning people would take a flyer with one hand and point at the new developments with the other. I said to GTR that all you need to do is to get off the train at Hackbridge and look at the developments.

“It’s massive, people wanting to live there will be put off. Look across the road and that’s all you need to do.”

Tom Brake, MP for Carshalton and Wallington, said today: “I welcome the proposed additional services for Wallington, Carshalton Beeches, Carshalton and Hackbridge stations in the consultation. These changes will not come soon enough for residents who have had to put up with overcrowded, unreliable and shambolic services for far too long.

“I have raised concerns that there will be no services to and from Carshalton and Hackbridge to and from London Bridge during the day, at the suggested reductions to and from Hackbridge station and London Victoria in the evenings and in the morning peak.”

Govia Thameslink Railway told Sutton Guardian: “We are consulting on proposed changes to the timetable which will be operated by GTR in 2018 following completion of the Thameslink Programme.

“As part of these proposed changes, between Hackbridge and London Victoria there will be two trains per hour throughout the day including peak periods and train capacity will be maintained with all trains to be formed of 10 coaches.

“As part of our ongoing consultation, we welcome feedback as we fine tune the timetable and encourage passengers to respond to our online survey at transformingrail.com. We will consider any refinements that could be made following the consultation period.”