PROPOSALS to axe train services have been derailed thanks to pressure from campaigners.

Rail chiefs had decided to abolish services from Dartford to London Victoria via Eltham, and reduce peak time services to the capital.

But now the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA), which manages the train network, has said it will reinstate the service to Victoria.

It will also review a proposal to reduce services to the two other mainline stations Charing Cross and Cannon Street.

The revised plans will see two trains per hour run at peak times from Dartford to Victoria and stopping at Eltham, Kidbrooke, Blackheath and Lewisham.

Trains running from Eltham station into central London would have been slashed from 22 to 16 during peak hours under the original plans.

But now the SRA is set to reconsider this, meaning the services could be retained.

Conservative councillor Spencer Drury put together a petition containing hundreds of signatures provided by commuters angry at the proposed cuts.

He says he is "very pleased" about the proposed review.

Cllr Drury said: "I'm delighted the SRA has listened to the Conservatives and commuters and reversed its plan to cut our Victoria train services.

"We need more trains in Eltham, not less."

Eltham MP Clive Efford lobbied the SRA and raised the issue in Parliament after the initial decision.

He said: "I'm absolutely delighted the SRA has had a change of heart.

"The net effect is there will be no loss of service for Eltham.

"In fact we get two extra off-peak trains per hour. The new proposals mean no-one is losing out."

An SRA spokesman says it took into account "the views expressed and the anticipated level of demand" before revising its plans for the train services.