A NEW train timetable has come under fire for not meeting the needs of passengers.

Council chiefs have blasted moves by First Great Western to make changes to the timings of Weymouth to Bristol services.

Critics say the timetable, due to start on December 9, has significant implications' for travellers.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council's transport spokesman Councillor Christine James said: "To say I am disappointed by these changes is an understatement.

"If as a society we are going to reduce car-borne travelling we have to make public transport more attractive to use, not less.

"First Great Western's inability to discuss these proposals with those affected is appalling and I really fear that come 2012 we will not be able to make the best use of this opportunity for the benefit of the whole region."

Current arrivals in Weymouth at 8.25am, 10.25am and 11.25am change to 8.05am, 11.05am and 12.06pm, with the first train running only from Westbury.

There is concern that commuters and college students will be affected, while the gap between first and second inbound trains is extended to three hours.

The only viable late afternoon return train moves back to 5.11pm, and the gap to the next and last departure from Weymouth extends to almost three hours.

The new timetable also terminates direct services to Cardiff which were introduced last December.

Passengers will now need to make an additional change in Bristol which will have an effect on one of Weymouth's major tourist markets, the borough council claims.

Coun James said the net result of the changes will be an even more limited choice for travel to Weymouth, in particular for the increasing numbers of customers from Trowbridge, Bath and Bristol.

Dorset County Council's transportation spokesman Colonel Geoffrey Brierley said: "These changes are very disappointing at a time when local authorities are doing their best to promote the use of public transport.

"Passenger usage on the line has been very encouraging in recent years and we should be building on this to present an attractive alternative to the car."

First Great Western, which runs services throughout the South West, was forced to make changes to its winter timetable last year following an outcry.

First's general manager for the West of England Julian Crow said this winter's timetable is very similar to last year's.

He said: "People's travel patterns may have changed since then and we are prepared to look at this in time for the summer timetable.

"There's only eight trains a day and there's all sorts of flows along the length of the line so it's difficult to find something that's suitable for everyone."