SOMERSET rail passengers will have to wait longer for upgrades to services after new timetables were abandoned amid chaos elsewhere on the network.

Commuters on Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern services have faced widespread disruption since new timetables were implemented on May 20.

South Western Railway (SWR), which operates services between London Waterloo and Exeter through Somerset, had planned to introduce a new timetable with additional services in December 2018.

But this has now been pushed back following decisions at a national level – leaving West Country rail travellers waiting longer for better trains and greater capacity.

SWR carried out a public consultation on proposed changes to its timetable between September and December 2017, publishing its findings in April 2018.

The operator – which is owned by First Group and MTR – planned to increase the number of peak trains to and from London Waterloo, as well as making improvements to early morning services from Exeter and more stops at all the ‘Devon Metro’ stations between Exeter and Honiton.

But managing director Andy Mellors has now admitted that the current timetable would remain in place in December.

He said: “We are mindful of the disruption to customers that happened with other major timetable changes elsewhere in May, and despite our desire to deliver the increased capacity and extra services as soon as possible to customers, it has been decided at a national level that a period of stability is needed.”

The Rail Delivery Group (which brings together Network Rail and all the operating companies) said that “a more cautious approach” was being taken this winter to ensure that passengers had confidence in their rail services.

Chief executive Paul Plummer said: “In parts of the country, many people have suffered unacceptable disruption following the introduction of the new timetable in May, for which we are sincerely sorry. The industry is determined to learn the lessons from what went wrong.

“After careful consideration, Network Rail and train operators are acting now to make sure people get a reliable service when the December timetable is introduced, which means some improvements will be delivered more slowly than originally planned.”

Network Rail chair Sir Peter Hendy added: “The railway is too vital for the health and wealth of our country to risk a repeat of the mistakes of May, and this more balanced approach of ambition and caution is absolutely the right thing to do for the millions who rely on our railway every day.”

Great Western Railway – which operates services between Somerset and London Paddington – has also postponed implementing a new timetable in December.

Mr Mellors said that he was hopeful that improvements to the SWR network could begin being implemented from May 2019.

He also promised that trains would continue to be refurbished to provide more seats within the existing rolling stock.

He said: “Even without timetable changes in December, we are preparing to deliver additional capacity for the benefit of customers.

“Over the coming weeks, will be seeking to confirm plans as to how the 90 additional Class 442 vehicles, which are presently being refurbished, can be progressively introduced into service in the existing timetable to allow other trains to be cascaded elsewhere on our network.

“As part of the refurbishment of the Class 444/ 450 fleets, we will also be delivering an increase in standard class seating capacity through internal reconfiguration of these vehicles which will progressively increase capacity through to spring 2019.”

The class 444 trains currently operate on the London to Weymouth line, but cannot be used on the Basingstoke to Exeter line – via Templecombe, Yeovil Junction and Crewkerne – because this stretch of the network has not been electrified.

SWR has said that the existing units on this section will be refurbished to provide additional seating, with a view to this process being completed by 2020.

Mr Mellors added: “We will continue to work with Network Rail, the Department for Transport and insight from customers and stakeholders to implement the changes to our future timetables, and ensure maximum benefit with minimal disruption to our customers.”

Somerset County Council, which is the transport authority for the county,  did not wish to comment.