WHAT was intended to be a commuters' "day of hell" turned out to be just another train journey for travellers on the 7.36 from Rainham to Cannon Street on Tuesday.

Medway Councillors wanted passengers from other Cannon Street services to cram onto the 7.36, to demonstrate the impact of cuts planned for two-and-a-half-years’ time.

Three of them plus commuters' representative Chris Fribbens joined the train, to carry a petition protesting against the cuts to London. They were met by Medway's three MPs, who took the petition to the Department of Transport.

In the event only the usual number of commuters turned up for the journey, and at Rainham there were plenty of seats. It was only after Chatham commuters boarded the train that seats ran out, and some had to stand. But there was no crush, as had been inspected.

Under proposals put forward by the now defunct Strategic Rail Authority, high speed Channel Tunnel Rail Link trains will call at Medway, but at the cost of some regular services.

Cllr Phil Filmer, Medway’s portfolio holder for transport, said: "We welcome the CTRL domestic trains. But this should be in addition to existing services.

"Because we are part of the Thames Gateway development, the population in Medway is going to increase considerably.

"What I don't want to see is commuters jumping into their cars every day and driving to Ebbsfleet to catch their train. That's going to help no-one."

Chris Fribbens of the Rail Users' Committee said: "What's being proposed is a reduction of services to Victoria and Cannon Street. CTRL trains will go to St Pancras, which is not where most Medway commuters want to go."

Bill Davis of Medway Council's Labour Group said the proposed changes would be "a disaster for Medway".

He said: "We want to improve services not run them down. Many Medway commuters can walk to their offices from Cannon Street or Victoria. They won't be able to from St Pancras."

And Cllr Geoff Juby of the Liberal Democrats said: "The population of Medway is set to increase by between 30,000 and 50,000. Despite the fact that more jobs are being created locally many of those people will need to travel to London so we need more commuter trains not fewer."

Commuters were equally unhappy about the proposed changes.

"Medway property prices would drop like a brick," said David Seton, of Weston Road, Strood, who boarded at Chatham and was unable to find a seat.

"People move to Medway because of the convenience of commuting to London. I did. I work 100 yards from Cannon Street Station. If I have to go to St Pancras I won't work in London anymore."

Clair Perera of Linden Road, Gillingham, said a reduction in early morning rail services would be a nightmare. "They're packed as it is. And if one gets cancelled it's even worse,” she said.

Martin Watts, of Parkwood, Rainham, said: “When you think we are paying £2,700 for our season tickets, we have to put up with a lot of inconvenience.”

Jon Thacker of Woolbrook Road, Rainham, said: "Hardly anyone seems to know about these changes. So it's good that they're being highlighted. What we need is extra trains not fewer."