THE BATTLE to keep a Waterloo train service serving west Wiltshire towns was dealt a new blow when it emerged the Government is axing rail passenger committees.

Speaking at a meeting of West Wiltshire Rail Users group in Bradford on Avon, Chris Irwin, chairman of the Rail Passengers Committee for Western England, said people would have to "draw their own conclusions" over whether the closures of the committees would bring about an end to loss-making lines.

The Waterloo link serving Bradford on Avon, Trowbridge and Warminster is due to resume in June, after the Strategic Rail Authority provided two 158 diesel trains to South West Trains.

But the joy could be shortlived after it was revealed the Government is closing seven regional offices, including Bristol and Cardiff, which will result in the dismissal of more than 150 rail campaigners, including many volunteers who helped to save west Wiltshire's Waterloo link.

Addressing a 70-strong group at Friday's meeting in St Margaret's Hall, Mr Irwin said: "The train service that operates is, I'm afraid, a pale shadow of what it once was.

"The two car train service that goes through to Salisbury has 15 people compared to the three car train that went through to Waterloo that was fully loaded.

"The Rail Passengers Committee is condemned. I'm very sad about that because they have built up an extraordinary capacity to deliver things."

Speaking after the meeting Mr Irwin said he was pleased with the positive turnout and the opportunity to hear users' views.

Press officer for West Wilts Rail Users Group Roger Newman said: "Obviously wearing my Rail Users Group hat then we were disappointed when we learned of the intention to close down the regional committees.

"We see it as a way of the Government getting rid of the train. If they are not there to take up the passenger complaints, to whom does the passenger complain? A minister in London is not going to be aware of the local situation and that in itself is one of the great ideas of the regional passenger committees."

Plans to wind up the committees are outlined in the Railway Bill being pushed through parliament.

The Wiltshire Times collected hundreds of signatures in 2003/04 during the Save Our Train campaign, calling for the Waterloo link to be saved.