A NEW timetable designed to reduce overcrowding on trains has been branded a “shambles” by frustrated commuters.

Rail operator c2c will introduce revised services on Monday. As part of the changes, the number of stops have been reduced on some peak time journeys.

The 8.43am service to London Fenchurch Street, for example, will no longer stop at Laindon.

It has prompted commuters who use the station to set up their own Twitter feed - Laindon Residents - to share their concerns. The Twitter handle retweets opinions from passengers about the changes.

@squeakie tweeted: “The new timetable is a shambles! Those living or working in Laindon are pretty much screwed in the AM.”

Chantelle Pasquale, using Twitter handle @champididpamps, added: “Why have you reduced services to Laindon? Everytime I reach West Ham at 6.40pm, I have a 20 minute wait for a train.”

Peter Slattery, from the Southend Rail Travellers Association, believes there are still enough services in place for Laindon commuters.

He said: “I know that some train services have been reduced. However, there is a train a few minutes either side of the one that has been withdrawn.

“The main thing is that they are trying to sort out the overcrowding. Currently, the trains might be stopping but you can’t get a seat.

“Previously, trains stopped at Barking and West Ham and there was overcrowding on every single train. Now they have taken many of those stops off.

“ The problem is that everyone wants to get to London for the same time. The changes will make use of the seats.

“As far as I know, there will be posters going up at the affected train stations so people aren’t just left thinking they have no alternative.”

Train operator c2c faced a backlash last year when it made the biggest timetable change on the line in living memory. The number of carriageways were cut and more stops were introduced at London stations - prompting complaints of overcrowding.

A spokesman for c2c said: “After monitoring our passenger loading data and listening to our customers we have made a few, small alterations to our timetable in order to better utilise our rolling stock to help overcrowding on particularly busy trains.

“This does include removing the train that stops at Laindon at 8.43am on its way to London. This train gets very busy and we don’t have spare carriages to add to it at this time. This change will allow more space to be available on board this service which is already very busy before it arrives at Laindon. There is a service that calls at Laindon just 4 minutes later that has seats available from Laindon.

“We are sorry if anyone’s journey is affected by these small timetable amendments.”