THE number of trains serving a village station will be increased – because of the success of Derby College's new campus.

It marks a turnaround for Willington rail station, where services were controversially cut back due to a lack of use.

CrossCountry has announced that, from May, it will boost the number of trains stopping by two a day in each direction, from Monday to Saturday.

The trial, which sees the daily number of trains rise to 12, will become permanent if it proves a success.

Earlier surveys indicated the normal level of service of eight trains was sufficient to cater for the station's customers, said David Watkin, the train firm's commercial director.

But at the end of last year, CrossCountry's annual timetable consultation highlighted requests for extra peak-time services.

They were from students who live in the Willington area attending the new Derby College Roundhouse campus, next to the city's main railway station. CrossCountry said the extra morning and afternoon stops will be introduced after consultation with rail users and local stakeholders.

Mr Watkin said: "We are delighted to have been able to introduce these trial services.

"We will now begin working with the county council, politicians and rail users to encourage more people to use our trains at Willington."

Following discussions with the college, Derbyshire County Council and South Derbyshire MP Mark Todd, CrossCountry has decided to test if there are enough customers to make the extra stops a permanent fixture.

Chris Jackson, the county council's cabinet member for highways and transport, welcomed the plans. He said: "We're pleased CrossCountry is improving its service, making it easier for people in Willington and the surrounding area to travel into Derby and beyond."

Over the next few months, CrossCountry will be working with Derbyshire County Council and Derby College to help raise awareness of rail services at Willington.

Last year, Martyn Ford – who represents Willington on South Derbyshire District Council – vowed to set up a community rail partnership to improve the use of the station.

He said: "We need to prove to rail service operators that people want these services. If we do our bit, we can get the rail operators to do their bit and make sure trains keep stopping at Willington station."

The station was rebuilt in the 1990s to serve staff at nearby Toyota but, because of the difference between the timetable and workers' shift patterns, was never extensively used.