Plans to cut the number of long-distance through journeys by rail have alarmed campaigners.

Big changes in the way the Cross Country franchise operates will mean that trains from Scotland and the North West to the South Coast, Gatwick airport and the South West will be axed from November.

"Big Brother" at the Department for Transport has decided that those services will terminate at Birmingham New Street.

Many long-distance travellers will have to change at New Street, one of the least user-friendly stations at which to make connections.

It is well known that a change of trains en route is a major deterrent to train travel, particularly for those with heavy luggage.

The DfT has refused to release details of passenger flows under “commercial confidentiality” but Virgin has carried out surveys of its own that show 66% of Cross Country passengers typically stay on board through Birmingham and a similar proportion have access to a car.

Birmingham New Street station is already chronically overcrowded and about to undergo a rebuilding scheme but the DfT proposals will inevitably make the situation far worse at a time of major upheaval.

The consequence of this misguided policy is bound to drive many passengers off the railway and into their cars or, worse still, to low-cost airlines. This would be contrary to the Government's stated policy to reduce carbon emissions and global warming.

There is real concern in the South West that many Cross Country passengers will simply decide not to travel or go somewhere else which would be very damaging to the economy of a region that relies heavily on tourism.

The reason for these cuts is said to be linked to a rolling stock shortage following the transfer of some class 221 Voyager trains to operate services from Euston to Chester and Holyhead.

This problem could be solved simply by transferring class 180 Adelante trains to Cross Country following the termination of their lease by First Great Western later this year.

Meanwhile, there is an Early Day Motion from Tim Farron MP concerning this issue and all Rail campaigners are urged to write to their MP, asking him or her to sign EDM 175 without delay, as time is running out.

Mr Farron, the Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, Cumbria, said: "Many local residents together with tourists visiting the Lake District will be affected by these proposals and will be less likely to travel by train as it becomes less convenient. We should be doing more to encourage travel by train. This is simply a step in the wrong direction."

Mr Farron's Commons motion reads: "Carbon emissions from transport are expected to rise by at least 10% between 2000 and 2010, undermining reductions in carbon emissions in other sectors.

"The average person travelling by rail generates around half the carbon dioxide emissions of the average person travelling by car.

"We note with concern recent suggestions by the Department for Transport in Cross Country franchise consultation that trains previously travelling directly from stations between Warrington and Glasgow to the South and South West should all terminate at Birmingham.

"We believe that such suggestions will inconvenience passengers, leading many to drive instead of taking the train. We call on the Department for Transport to ensure that passengers are put first in any changes to the rail network."

Campaigners' letters to MPs should be addressed to them at The House of Commons, London SW1A OAA