Timetable proposals show smaller stations could be ‘disconnected’ from London as South Western Railway (SWR) launch a public consultation.

Proposed timetable changes, intended to come into effect in December 2018, plan to halve direct trains between Weymouth and London Waterloo and discontinue direct services to the capital from Upwey and Moreton altogether.

Passengers from these stations will have to get the new Portsmouth stopping train and change at Southampton.

Member of Friends of Upwey Station, Terry Putnam said: “We are all very upset and I’m sure people in Moreton feel the same. It means we are disconnected from Waterloo.”

Currently SWR run two trains an hour from Weymouth to London.

However, subject to the public consultation, SWR propose to maintain only one direct service to London which will be 12 minutes faster than the current service but will miss out smaller stations including Upwey and Moreton.

Cllr Colin Huckle, spokesman for transport and infrastructure at Weymouth and Portland Borough Council said he was totally against the proposals. 

“In the late afternoons and evening, trains coming from Waterloo are extremely busy and that’s with two trains an hour so I don’t understand their rationale.

“We should be fiercely opposing this suggestion. 

“It leaves all the people in Upwey and Moreton disadvantaged.

“We are trying to extend our offer of a tourist resort beyond the summer months and if they cut the total number of trains, that’s a set back for the whole area.”

The second London service will be replaced with a stopping service from Weymouth to Portsmouth meaning those travelling to London will have to change trains at Southampton Central. 

However, due to the proposed timing of the Portsmouth train, the next available train for passengers to change onto would be the direct train from Weymouth leaving 37 minutes later which Cllr Huckle said was nonsense. 

Travel writer and blogger, Geoff Moore said: "It's a massive retrograde step for the regular train users from South West Dorset. It really shows that SWR are not really caring about the service they are actually offering to long distance commuters.

"Railways provide opportunity for business development. Good, fast reliable connections between towns allows businesses to grow." 

"The fact is businesses in Dorchester, Weymouth or even as far as Bridport cannot compete with other organisations in other parts of the country as the journey times are longer and infrequent." 

The South Western franchise was taken over by FirstGroup-MTR in August after being operated by South West Trains for 20 years.

In their winning franchise bid, FirstGroup-MTR pledged to deliver new and better trains, more seats, improved service frequencies and quicker journey times for South Western Railway passengers. 

Rail passengers now have until December 22 to voice their opinions on the planned timetable changes.

Andy Mellors, Managing Director for South Western Railway, said: "We really want to encourage as much feedback as possible on our proposals so that we can implement a timetable that truly meets the requirements of our passengers and the communities we serve."

To have your say visit www.southwesternrailway.com/timetableconsultation.