A KENT village is preparing to do battle to preserve its commuter train service.

Chilham residents fear trains linking the village with London could be cut by the opening of Kent’s £5.8billion high-speed rail line.

Ashford MP Damian Green pledged to take up their case after meeting the protestors.

Environmental Protection Society chairman Anthony Perrett told the MP they are fiercely opposed to any proposals to cut services in the review of local timetables being conducted to accommodate new 186mph Eurostar trains.

He says the integrated Kent franchise draft specification of 2005, which decrees that only three trains will run each way at peak periods, with no service off-peak, including weekends, is a threat to Chilham’s future prosperity.

Chilham parish councillor Marilyn Sansom said: “Mr Green promised to speak to the relevant authorities.”

Mr Perrett has written to the Department for Transport, demanding assurances current services are maintained.

The society has asked to have “significant” input in the timetable discussions due to be held between the Transport Department and train company Southeastern.

Meanwhile, leaflets have been distributed by the society warning regular users of the station that fewer trains will stop there from 2009 and “none during the middle of the day.”

Marg Mayne, a protection society campaigner, says: “The station is well used by children, residents and commuters, many of whom can, at present, walk to the station.

“Any reduction in services would mean that many of these walkers would have to drive, probably to Ashford or Canterbury, which already have problems with parking.”

Southeastern spokeswoman Sarah Boundy said: “We are currently reviewing this specification and will be able to provide more information regarding the detail of the proposed timetable in the spring.

“I hope people will understand that this is still in the planning stage and details have get to be finalised.”

In a letter to the society, Peter Foot, from the Department for Transport, said he was confident peak and off-peak services would be maintained.

He wrote: “I think it is highly likely that the hourly off-peak service, with the peak additionals, enjoyed by Chilham will be maintained.”