Leigh and Penshurst stations will no longer have a direct link to London when Southern Railway modifies timetables from May 20.
An hourly shuttle service from Tonbridge to Redhill will still serve the stations but John Reynolds, Chairman of Tonbridge Line Commuters, said the move was a ‘retrograde step’.
‘Usage of the line has been underestimated as it can be used as an alternative route and for journeys to Croydon.
‘Many children use the line to go to school and it is also needed with 4,000 homes set to be built in the area in the next few years.’
Passengers along the line will now have to change at Tonbridge or Redhill to make a connecting link to the capital. But the faster services offered from Tonbridge mean overall journey times will not be significantly lengthened.
The hourly shuttle service will be half-hourly during peak hours.
Southeastern services will also see slight timetable alterations from May 20. Visit www.southeasternrailway.co.uk for more information.
