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Good news in train overcrowding row - but other carriage cuts remain

One Ashford train service is having carriages reinstated as the row over passenger overcrowding continues.

Southeastern is reintroducing eight carriages on the 1656 from London Victoria to Ashford after cutting it down to six.

The reinstatement takes place next Monday following the reduction on January 5.

Spokesman Nigel Jarrett said: "We are constantly reviewing services based on customer feedback.

"Carriages also have passenger loading device, literally underfloor weighing devices, to check on passenger numbers."

The move is part of a review of services that saw the reinstatement of carriages on other services such as Tunbridge Wells to London.

However the 1656 is the only Ashford service at present with a reinstatement.

Several other services that were slashed on January 5 will remain reduced.

For instance the 0533 Ashford to Victoria, 1658 Ashford to Victoria and 1357 Ashford to Charing Cross all had their carriages cut from eight to six.

The 1758 from Victoria to Ashford has been reduced from six to four carriages.

The cuts had prompted a campaign by commuter Tony Fitzpatrick who wrote to the train company saying that carriages were dangerously overcrowded.

Mr Jarrett said: "We have 330 trains, so finite resources, and we use a variety of information on the best way to use them."

That review will be completed in the next fortnight.

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