Campaigners vow to ‘keep the pressure on’ to ensure extra Peterborough train service to London arrives on time

Bosses of train operator LNER have promised that an extra morning rail service to the capital will be provided following commuter complaints about a change to services they claimed meant fewer London-bound trains.

But a date for the start of the new service has not been given by LNER which has said it should be by the middle of next month.

Peterborough MP Andrew Pakes, who lobbied on behalf of commuters for the extra service, said: “I am very much focused on ensuring LNER delivers the additional service by their stated mid-February timeframe.

"This is good news for regular morning passengers but we need to make sure it happens on time.

"And we keep up the pressure for more carriages on existing services.”

An LNER spokesperson said: “We are working with the wider industry to introduce this new service for Peterborough, so things take a little time to sort.

"We want to introduce it as soon as possible.

He added: “We’re looking to introduce the service from mid-February.

"If we have a more definite date to share, we will do so in due course.”

Commuters became angry following a revamp of the LNER timetable at the beginning of the year.

They said the changes meant fewer morning services to London, which led to overcrowding on the services that were provided.

There was also disquiet over a 40 minute gap in the morning services, when commuters at Peterborough could only watch as London-bound services passed straight through the station.

The timetable changes not only triggered commuter complaints to LNER but local politicians also raised the issue in the Houses of Parliament.

Mr Pakes addressed the matter in the House of Commons and Lord Jackson of Peterborough submitted a written question in the House of Lords asking details about talks the Government was having with LNER about the timetable changes.