I have the privilege of presenting a petition on behalf of a group called Kettering Rail Users, which is understandably appalled, as am I, by the cuts in train services to and from Kettering that are proposed by Stagecoach's subsidiary, East Midlands Trains. The petition has been signed by 2,485 people.

The petition states:

To the Honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled.

The Humble Petition of Mr Christopher Groome of Kettering Rail Users and others of like disposition listed below,

Sheweth,

That East Midlands Trains, part of The Stagecoach group, proposes, in December 2008, to cut, from present levels, the number of weekday passenger trains from Kettering to London by 5%, the number of weekday passenger trains from London to Kettering by 18% and the number of weekday passenger trains from London to Kettering by 30% in the evening peak, whilst halving the main passenger rail service northbound from Kettering.

Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your Honourable House urges Her Majesty's Department of Transport to call upon East Midlands Trains in its proposed timetable to reinstate these services together with fast and semi-fast services to and from London and a far more frequent service northbound so as to restore Kettering's inter-city rail service and provide the Borough of Kettering with the rail service it needs to serve a rapidly expanding local population.

And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, etc.

[P000090]