An extra Paignton to Paddington service in 2006 is planned

The government has proposed trains from Waterloo to the South West terminate at Exeter in Devon, and no longer service Torquay, Paignton and Plymouth.

If it is stopped it will leave only one direct service a day to London.

A motion condemning the plan will go before Torbay Council next week, saying it will result in more road congestion and could adversely affect tourism.

People expect to be able to get here easily. If they have to change trains with a couple of heavy suitcases they could be put off Malcolm Bell, South West Tourism

The Torbay Line Rail Users' Group said it was dismayed there had been no public consultation and was exactly what Torbay did not need at the moment.

Roger Dixon said: "It may just be a proposal at this stage, but we regard it as a threat."

South West Tourism said it had concerns about the service being axed.

Malcolm Bell told BBC News: "The worry is two-fold. It's a question of both the perception and the reality.

Wrong direction

"The number of visitors who come to Torbay by rail is relatively small - probably less than 15%.

"But it is a major tourist resort and people expect to be able to get here easily. If they have to change trains with a couple of heavy suitcases they could be put off.

"Overall, it would be a retrograde step and one going in the wrong direction."

The Department for Transport (DfT) said the proposal was being considered because less than 50 passengers a day travel on the service from west of Exeter.

It added that direct services from Plymouth and Paignton would continue to London Paddington and Paignton would be getting an extra Paddington service in December 2006.