A rail watchdog has complained that timetable changes introduced last month have turned some trains into "cattle wagons".

On Tuesday a meeting of Braintree Council's community and housing policy review group heard Theo Steel, projects director of train operator One Great Eastern, respond to questions from Mark Leslie, chairman of Kelvedon Rail Users Association.

Mr Leslie told the meeting that commuters were "very unhappy" at the reduction in peak-time trains between Kelvedon and London at the expense of extra Inter-city Norwich trains.

He said: "I've not found anyone, except maybe one or two people, who are happy with the new service. People have said to me that trains at 7am from Kelvedon are like cattle wagons with people herded together tightly."

Mr Steel said: "I understand the frustrations of passengers and will take it on board at the meeting."

Published Thursday, January 27, 2005

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