Rail users will have their chance to voice their views on the network tomorrow.

A passenger watchdog is hosting a meeting to allow commuters and occasional travellers to debate with senior rail industry figures, regulators, local Government representatives and a bus operator.

The open discussion entitled Rail as the Backbone of an Integrated Transport System is at Southend Civic Centre in Victoria Avenue, from 2.15pm to 4pm and has been organised by the Rail Users Consultative Committee for Eastern England.

Chairman Stewart Francis said: "We want passengers to tell what they consider the key issues to be. For instance, is through-ticketing the answer to encouraging people to take a bus to the station, or is getting buses to stop near the station the real issue?"

He added: "We will also be exploring how Southend can benefit from building commitments on transport integration into First Great Eastern and LTS Rail's contracts when their franchises are renegotiated."

As well as the open discussion, in the morning members of the public can hear the latest plans from rail bosses.

Bob Breakwell, managing director of First Great Eastern, Ken Bird, managing director of LTS Rail and Ray Price, zone director of Railtrack East Anglia will all be on hand to reveal what their companies will be doing to improve travel for passengers, and will also be happy to answer questions.

The session runs from 10.30am to 12.45pm.

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