A GROUP set up to campaign for more train services at Pilning Station has expressed its dismay at Great Western Railway's new winter timetable.

The station, which has two trains a week that both run on Saturdays in the same direction, has had its later service brought forward by an hour.

This means those relying on the train to get back to Pilning after a day out will need to return an hour earlier, at 14:33 rather than 15:34.

The change has occurred as a new type of train will be operating the 15:34 service, which GWR claim is unable to call at Pilning.

Olga Taylor, Chair of Pilning Station Group, said: "This decision makes no sense at all to us. These new trains are fitted with Selective Door Operation for the precise purpose of allowing them to stop at stations like ours - so why won't GWR use this facility for its intended purpose at Pilning?

"We have urged them to be reasonable and to think again."

A spokesman for GWR said: “Unfortunately we are not authorised to call our new Intercity Express Trains at Pilning, and we cannot stop at later services due to the lack of station lighting.

“To maintain journey opportunities special ticket easements have previously been put in place to allow passengers to return from Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach station.

"This gives customers the option of using the wider range of services from Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach on their return; the easement also permits travel back to Severn Beach on a weekday, giving customers from Pilning the option of a period rather than a day return.”