RAIL operator One was accused of putting on a “poor show” last night after it slashed mainline intercity services in half in the wake of the bad weather.

RAIL operator One was accused of putting on a “poor show” last night after it slashed mainline intercity services in half in the wake of the bad weather.

Bosses took the decision to cancel 19 trains due to run between London Liverpool Street and Norwich throughout the day yesterday, leaving commuters frustrated.

But the company told the EADT last night that the decision was taken to ensure a service would still be able to run, and was working well.

A spokeswoman for One said: “On our intercity line the cancellations were mainly because of the severe weather conditions this morning.

“We're just taking out some of the services - about a 50% reduction - to make sure that we can run a service. The good thing is that we're telling the customers that these are the ones that will be cancelled.

“All our other trains are running okay but in the case of the intercity trains we're having problems with frozen pipes and the connection between the locomotives and the carriages, so to manage the best we can we have to reduce the service and that's working well.

“Today, and for the rest of the week, there's not as many people who need to get to London, so we've been able to manage.”

But David Bigg, chairman of the Witham and Braintree Rail Users' Association, criticised the service cutbacks. He added: “Why haven't they taken measures to prevent it?

“And, if the weather gets worse, are the ramifications going to get worse? They are lucky that half the working population are still off. Overall, it's a bit of a poor show - not a good end to the year.”

Neil Skinner, vice-chairman of the Manningtree Rail Users' Association, added: “It's a complete pain for everyone involved.”

Responding to Mr Bigg's comments, the One spokeswoman said there were no preventative measures that could be taken.

She added: “The good news is that we understand the weather is due to get better so there shouldn't be any issues tomorrow with cancellations.”

nWhile there was travel disruption in many eastern parts of the UK yesterday, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway still managed to keep to their timetable with their popular steam trains travelling between Pickering and Goathland despite heavy snowfall.

mark.heath@eadt.co.uk