COMMUTERS at Appleford are celebrating after a number of daytime services to Oxford and London were reinstated this week.

The station had fallen victim to cuts in May and was left without a train from 11am to 5pm after First Great Western deemed the station was not being used enough.

But following a campaign from villagers, the operator has reintroduced stops on three daytime services between Paddington and Oxford and a stop by a train from Moreton-in-Marsh to Paddington.

Mark Hopwood, First Great Western managing director, said he had been convinced by the level of local demand for the extra trains.

“This is just one example of how we do everything we can to deliver the best possible service to all our customers,” he said.

“We value our customers’ thoughts and would like to thank all those people who took the time to talk to us.”

Angela Greenwell, 61, of Chambrai Close, Appleford, said: “It’s very important the service has been reinstated because it gives locals more choice.

“When it was cut, you would have to start your journey home almost as soon as you arrived, or face waiting for hours.”

Angela Jones, of Main Road, Appleford, said: “This is a huge relief because we really depended on it, as it was the only available means of public transport in the village.

“Older people would use it to go to the doctor or solicitor, and younger people would go to school or work.”

Chris Hancock, 60, from Church Street, Appleford, said: “I think it’s important that all aspects of the service are provided. We’ve noticed that as a result of this reinstatement, however, other evening services have been changed and we’re calling for those to come back.”

The following stops, removed as part of timetable changes in May, will be added to the timetable on Mondays through to Saturdays: * 11.27am Paddington to Oxford will call at Appleford at 1pm.

* 1.27pm Paddington to Oxford will call at Appleford at 3pm.

* 12.07pm Oxford to Paddington will call at Appleford at 12.17pm (12.18pm on Saturday).

* 9.29am Moreton-in-Marsh to Paddington will call at Appleford at 10.17am (10.18am on Saturday)

From Mondays to Fridays, the current 7.31pm and 8.30pm stops at Appleford on the Oxford to Paddington service will be replaced by stops at 8.13pm and 8.59pm.

Local MP Ed Vaizey said: “It’s a great triumph. We’ve managed to change the mind of the operator and I think the station could have been closed if the service was not reinstated.

“Now we need as many people to use it as possible, so it’s not axed again.”