And Nigel Harris, editor of Rail magazine, said motorists would "complain bitterly" about road closures.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Axing crossings 'not practical'

Barry Doe, a contributor to Rail magazine, said at the best of times the intercity service between the capital and Cheltenham was "one of the two worst" in the country.

BBC: Platform work to delay Paddington to Cheltenham trains

Since the last set of British Rail fares were published in June 1995, inflation measured by the Retail Prices Index (RPI) has been 66%, according to research by fares expert Barry Doe for Rail Magazine.

BBC: Have train fares gone up or down since British Rail?