CONTROVERSIAL plans to reduce peak train services at Martins Heron have been scrapped by South Western Railway (SWR).

In October, proposals were published by SWR to reduce the number of peak trains stopping at the station on the Reading to Waterloo line from four per hour to two from December 2018.

The proposals were met with huge public outcry, with thousands of angry commuters contacting SWR to air their concerns.

Many residents contacted Bracknell MP, Dr Phillip Lee, who added his voice to the campaign.

In a statement released last week, SWR confirmed it would not be reducing the services, and instead maintaining four trains per hour as a minimum.

Commuter Caroline Cook, who uses the Martins Heron service every day to travel to work in London, told the Bracknell News: "I'm delighted to hear that South Western Railway has listened to our feedback and won't be reducing the number of services stopping at Martins Heron during peak periods.

"The changes would have had a huge impact on my commute, adding around 40 minutes each day, so this is a big relief.

"It is also really heart-warming to see how the community came together on this to make sure our views were heard during the consultation."

A spokesperson for SWR said: "We have adjusted the Reading service calling pattern to retain, as a minimum, the same number of peak Martins Heron calls as per today with up to four per hour in the peak periods.

"SWR recognises the feedback from commuters using Martins Heron station for keeping the four services they currently have in peak periods in the December 2018 timetable.

"The reduction of calls at peak time to two was very negatively received. Therefore we plan to maintain the level of service at peak times in both directions to London and Reading. This will reduce the proposed improvements to journey times that were originally consulted upon."