SELFISH rail users in Milton Keynes have called for fast trains from Milton Keynes Central to London Euston to bypass Leighton Buzzard.

The chair of the MK Rail Users group, Philip Lawton, said in a recent post on the group's website that they would "press for improvements to Milton Keynes Central and Bletchley, irrespective of the impact those changes may have on other areas like Northampton and Leighton Buzzard."

The group feel that cutting the number of trains stopping at Leighton station will improve the service for rail users from Milton Keynes.

"MK Rail Users feel the commuter from Milton Keynes Central has to endure longer journey times than is desirable."

The lobby group, who meet at Milton Keynes Station every month and campaign to enhance the services from Milton Keynes and Bletchley stations, have regular talks with rail organisations such as Network Rail and train operator London Midland.

The group say that cutting out the stops in Leighton Buzzard en route to London Euston would save journey time, as it would allow the trains to travel on a faster stretch of track between each destination.

Mr Lawton said: "Our demand to London Midland was for those 'fast' services in the peak, that currently have stops south of Milton Keynes Central, to run on the fast lines all the way to Euston with NO intermediate stops. This would not only decrease journey times by up to ten minutes but also would help in alleviating overcrowding.

"Whilst our trains currently go on the slow line to Leighton Buzzard, the fast lines we cross south of Leighton Buzzard are available to the train operator all the way from Milton Keynes Central.

"History however has given us a service that only goes fast after Leighton Buzzard. With this news we have every hope that the campaigned-for non-stop Milton Keynes Central-Euston can be a reality."

The group seems to have a total disregard for commuters in Leighton-Linslade, who would be severely affected if such a move were to go ahead. An increase in the number of direct-line trains running out of Milton Keynes to Euston would limit the number of trains operating a fast service to London from Leighton possibly to just one per hour.

A spokesman for London Midland said: "You can only have a certain number of trains on a stretch of track at a certain time and if there were trains non-stop between Milton Keynes and London Euston there would be less room on the track for others."

Their proposal is a slap in the face for Leighton rail users, as there are already trains running directly from Milton Keynes to London Euston, operated by Virgin Trains which can be used by season ticket holders. This is something that the MK Rail Users acknowledge, but their aim is to press London Midland for what they deem 'a better service' regardless.

Mr Lawton says: "I am sure you agree that a journey to London in the new Desiros (the model of carriage used by London Midland) with their large windows and airy ambience is much preferable to the cramped and claustrophobic interior of the Virgin Pendolino".

No specific rail lobby group exists to campaign on behalf of Leighton 's train travellers, but local councillors are expected to speak up on their behalf.

When told about the plans, MP for South West Beds Andrew Selous said: "That would be over my dead body. Leighton Buzzard is understood by many as a commuter town, and as such deserves a minimum level of transport to and from London. In particular the government are looking to provide more houses without extra jobs in South Beds and that is not going to work unless people are able to work elsewhere, which will require them to be able to travel easily."

He vowed to fight any pressure from Milton Keynes, saying: "I will be writing to London Midland and the Department for Transport to confirm that this is not at all possible."

One commuter, who asked not be named, said: "It's quite selfish. Leighton Buzzard is a commuter town as well. Maybe the people should've thought about the long commute before they moved to Milton Keynes – it's only 40 minutes!"

Paul Crayk from Linslade, who uses the train to get to work every day, said: "They have cut down on the number of fast trains going to London in recent years anyway; now there are only two an hour during the busy periods. The fact that Milton Keynes rail users are more organized does not surprise me, I suppose it is in their best interests to ask for a better service, but if they cut the number of trains any more it would be mayhem."