 Commuters into London could see changes to local services |
Commuters could suffer under plans to give the Mayor of London powers over rail services as far out as Sevenoaks, Kent County Council has warned. The plans mean Ken Livingstone could have control over station improvements and train stopping patterns.
He could also be granted power over cuts and increases to services.
Cabinet member for regeneration Graham Gibbens said he feared fast trains from Kent could either be made to stop more or else be cut altogether.
 |  The county council is determined that the interests of residents who live in Kent will not be jeopardised |
Ken Livingstone could "affect the services of trains that go out of Kent towards London and that could benefit people who live in London at the cost of people who live in Kent," he said.
Mr Gibbens told BBC Radio Kent: "He [Ken Livingstone] wants to look after the interests of his own electorate.
"The county council is determined that the interests of residents who live in Kent will not be jeopardised.
"We want to protect our services and improve services for Kent residents - I think this is vitally important.
"We shall be very robust in ensuring that nothing is done that makes train services out of Kent any worse," he said.
The Mayor of London's office was unable to react to Mr Gibbens' comments.
The public is to be consulted on the proposals which could also give the mayor a say on services as far from the capital as Epsom, in Surrey.
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