Watford and Bushey commuters react to Euston service cuts

West Midlands Trains, which operates both West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway services, reduced the number of peak time trains from both Watford Junction and Bushey to London Euston from Monday.

The company says the reduction is a result of changes to the Southern timetables, which has reduced platform availability at Watford Junction, as well as commuters travelling more outside peak times.

Commuter Ali Sharat, who is disabled and catches the train from Bushey, said: "The previous timetable allowed people who prefer a quieter commute to get into London at a good time to start work.

"The recent changes mean people are completely cut off from doing that. As a disabled person I really valued being able to take the earlier quieter train.

"We are already paying extra fare in increases.”

Abfly rail users group member Kevin Ambrose said: "The changes will allow the service to Clapham, which stops at Kensington Park and Shepherds Bush, to use platform 10 at Watford Junction.

"It’s really Bushey that loses out, not Watford Junction, because the train to Clapham Junction doesn’t stop at Bushey and the number of people using the Bushey train is picking up."

A London Northwestern Railway spokesperson said: “Due to changes by other operators impacting on available platform space, from next week fewer peak-time services to London Euston from Watford Junction and Bushey will run. Passengers are asked to plan ahead.

“All timetable changes are carefully planned and kept under close review in consultation with the Department for Transport to ensure railway capacity is matched to customer demand.”

Most services are still running on the line but almost all journeys will experience some level of change to timings.

Routes between Bedford and Bletchley are among those which will benefit from the change with more trains availaible.

The new timetables are available to view at www.lnr.uk/timetables