More than 1,000 people have signed a petition fighting back against “outrageous” cuts to Central line services.
The signatures have been gathered in less than two weeks after Transport for London (TfL) slashed rush hour services on the Roding Valley to Leytonstone loop in August, removing three of six trains running between 7.30am and 8.30am.
TfL claimed the cut was necessary to allow extra services on the Epping to Leytonstone branch, one of the busiest on the line, but protestors say the move was rushed through with no consultation.
Many passengers on the Roding Valley loop say they are now forced to stand for long journeys on either their normal branch or by changing at Woodford.
Caroline Milton of Buckhurst Way, Buckhurst Hill, has organised the petition calling for the rush hour services to be reinstated.
She said: “TfL knew years in advance that the development of the Olympic Park and the Westfield shopping centre, as well as house-building in Epping Forest and Redbridge, would dramatically increase usage of the eastern part of the Central Line but clearly they didn’t plan for the future by ordering new trains and improving the service.
“Now they tell us their procurement process means we must wait until after 2020 for enough trains to be ordered and built.
“That’s a scandal - passengers are not prepared to suffer for TfL’s mistakes.”
The petition will be presented to the London Assembly on November 2.
Signatures have so far been collected at Roding Valley, Grange Hill and Chigwell stations.
Co-organiser Sarah Taylor said: “We're hugely grateful to all the Central line passengers, local businesses and neighbours who have supported our campaign.
“We are stunned to have had so much local support and to have amassed so many signatures, so quickly.
“It really goes to show how angry local people are about this drastic cut to our rush hour service, which is making life so difficult for ordinary people who are just trying to get to work in the morning.”
He said: “I completely understand why residents are frustrated… I will be writing to TfL to ask them to explain this decision and to look at reversing it.”
TfL have been contacted for comment.
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