London MPs have been given assurances by South Western Railway that "senseless" slashed train timetables will resume when staff absences reduce.

On January 17, the train company introduced a new trimmed down timetable with one in four trains axed.

The increase in cases of the Omicron Covid variant has been blamed as more staff are off sick at home and self-isolating.

While some peak services have already been restored, the cuts have sparked fury among locals and politicians, so much so that on January 20, Munira Wilson, Twickenham MP and Cllr Gareth Roberts, leader of Richmond Council had a meeting with SWR.

In a tweet, the Liberal Democrat MP Munira Wilson said: "I just met with [SWR] management to clarify the situation on the Shepperton line.

"I obtained assurances that they would reinstate services as soon as staff absences due to Covid reduced.

"Thankfully this is already happening with some peak services reinstated in the past few days."

She added: "With the working from home guidance lifted today, we need our trains back to full service.

"I will keep up the pressure to ensure this temporary service reduction is just that, temporary, and for as short a time as possible."

Meanwhile Battersea MP Marsha de Cordova called for a parliamentary debate on the cuts, which has seen all but one train per hour axed from the Shepperton branch.

Yesterday the local MP tweeted: "Today I called for a debate on the cuts to South Western Railway services At Queenstown Road, Clapham Junction and Wandsworth Town.

"People who live and work in Battersea rely on regular and efficient rail services.

"One train an hour is not enough for this crucial line."

Sarah Olney, Lib Dem MP for Richmond Park tweeted: "I've already started receiving a high volume of emails from constituents who are struggling to go about their daily lives as a direct result of this senseless, ill-timed timetable brought in by South Western Railway."

Cllr Gareth Roberts said: "Residents have been, quite justifiably, angered by this unexpected cut to rail services on the Shepperton branch line. One train an hour in the off peak is not what we would hope for on a line serving a London suburban route.

"Though we appreciate that Covid has played an important part in exacerbating the problem of staff shortages, nevertheless it is vital that steps are taken as soon as possible to get a full service up and running."

He added: "Both Munira and I were pleased to be told that South Western Railway have already been able to reinstate some peak services, however we continue to press rail bosses to ensure that this line, which even when running a full service only offers two trains an hour in the off-peak period, is restored to full operational capacity as soon as is possible."

A SWR spokesperson said: "This week, we introduced a new temporary timetable which ensures reliability for our customers in light of staff shortages caused by the spread of Omicron.

"Staff availability continues to present significant challenges, but a slightly improving picture has meant we are able to reintroduce some services from this coming Monday.

"We will continue to closely monitor this situation and reintroduce further services where possible".

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