A REPRIEVE is likely for some stopping train services threatened with the axe at Dean and Dunbridge stations.

New train operator First Great Western has announced it is to run a shuttle service between Westbury and Southampton, which will lead to more trains for Dunbridge and Dean stations than originally planned in the draft December 2006 timetable.

The shuttle service will take to the tracks in December and run for one year, when it will be reviewed by First, which had planned to cut the number of trains stopping at the two rural stations from 20 to five per day.

First has not disclosed how many trains will stop at Dunbridge and Dean in the modified timetable but the company says significant changes will be made following extensive consultation with customers and stakeholders.

And there is more good news for people using Dunbridge and Dean stations - the new South Western rail franchise includes extending the present Totton-Southampton-Eastleigh-Romsey route to Salisbury with stops at both villages. However, Totton is not included in the new service.

Department for Transport officials are now inviting four companies interested in the South Western franchise to bid for it.

Commenting on the timetable re-think First Great Western's managing director Alison Forster said: "As a result of this feedback we're delighted that we are able to make modifications to the draft timetable and address most of the concerns raised during consultation. The changes we are announcing are the main improvements to the draft December timetable but we will continue to make additional changes over the next few weeks."

First received more than 9,000 responses to its timetable proposals from people opposed to the drastic cuts to services. Romsey Conservative spokeswoman Caroline Nokes, who campaigned for the retention of services at Dunbridge and Dean, said First's revised proposals were good news.

"It is positive, but it is very important that we look closely at the details, not just the services. We need to know the timings and schedules - particularly whether they are suitable for schoolchildren and people going to work," said Mrs Nokes, who surveyed

Dun Valley residents to find out their views on the proposed cuts. And Romsey MP Sandra Gidley, who met train minister Derek Twigg last week to discuss the long-term future of train services in the area, said she was delighted with the announcement the Chandler's Ford route was safe.

"The campaign has included lobbying and a debate in the House of Commons. The recent meeting was a culmination of a lot of effort and over 2,500 people who signed the Liberal Democrat petition (to save the Chandler's Ford line service)," said Mrs Gidley, adding that the extended service to Salisbury would "enable a limited number" of stops at Dean and Dunbridge stations.

Mrs Gidley has also met First Great Western officials to discuss the company's timetable proposals for the Salisbury to Southampton line.