Concerns over the future of Maidstone and Malling's rail services to the capital are set to be discussed in parliament.

MPs Helen Grant and Tom Tugendhat have applied to host the event in parliament amid growing concerns of cuts and changes to routes between London and the west of the county.

The Kent Messenger discovered earlier this year the Department for Transport was giving bidders in the next rail franchise the option of scrapping the popular 52-minute high speed trains in favour of an alternative service to Abbey Wood, which is being earmarked as a major Crossrail station.

Since then, a petition urging the government to retain the service has received more than 1,700 signatures, while there is also growing discontent about the delay to the Thameslink service connecting the County Town and the city, which has been pushed back a number of times, and led to transport secretary Chris Grayling saying on a recent visit to Maidstone he was "genuinely sorry" about the hold-up.

Concerns were then exacerbated this week when it was announced Southeastern was axing one change-free journey from Maidstone East and nearby villages such as Lenham, Barming, and East Malling, which arrives at Victoria between 8am and 9am, from its new timetable, which comes into force on May 20.

Instead, a new service will run direct to London Blackfriars, with Victoria commuters having to change at Bromley South.

Mrs Grant said she and other Kent MPs will be meeting with the new rail minister Jo Johnson to discuss the changes.

"Whilst no train services have been cut, these changes will affect some of my constituents travelling at peak times from Maidstone East station," she said.

"Southeastern have said that by spreading the services out it will reduce the current gaps of arrivals into Victoria, but I have concerns that passengers understandably will rush to get the earlier trains causing those to be more overcrowded.

"It’s disappointing also that some trains are going to be longer in duration as I already feel the service to Victoria is very slow.

"Overall it remains a priority for me to ensure that we have the best possible services on offer to my constituents who use the train network on a daily basis. That is why I will continue to campaign at both national and local level on this important issue."

To sign our petition, visit tinyurl.com/KMhighspeed.