Swindon railway stationA REGIONAL body says it is worried that trains stopping at Swindon will become overcrowded.

At the moment the franchise for the Greater Western rail network which includes the services currently operated by First Great Western is under offer to be tendered out, in a process that is scheduled to begin in the autumn.

But it has been revealed that the number of trains may be reduced.

This is because of figures that, according to the South West Regional Assembly, show the rail industry underestimating the number of travellers on trains in the south west.

The assembly has concerns over the franchise shake-up.

"These sums just won't add up for the south west," said Julian Johnson, chairman of the assembly's planning and transport group.

"The train is a vital part of our travel network.

"On average demand for rail travel in the region increases by 10 per cent each year.

Unfortunately, the rail industry anticipates the south west's growth to be 1.9 per cent annually, which will leave a lot of people out in the cold."

First Great Western currently has a fleet of 297 trains, which serve 22m passengers a year.

If cuts are made by the rail industry, then the roads look to become even more congested with the overflow of commuters.