Harrow train users have vowed to fight the decision to scrap a popular service after a new line was introduced to replace it.
Train operators Southern have confirmed the Watford to Brighton service, which stops at Harrow and Wealdstone station, will be discontinued from December 14.
A new hourly service will run from Milton Keynes to East Croydon, meaning passengers for Gatwick and Brighton will have to change at East Croydon station.
The new line is a small victory for campaigners as the original plans were to have the service terminate at Clapham Junction, meaning passengers would be forced to navigate flights of stairs in order to change trains.
At East Croydon wheelchair users will be able to switch trains easily because the station has a subway and ramps.
Barry Reeves, of Pinner Court, Pinner, said: "The decision makes it easier for mums with pushchairs and the elderly.
"The big gap between the train and platform at East Croydon would have been dangerous for the eldery and mums to change trains.
"But it's the next best thing, it doesn't do anything to help people from north-west London get to Gatwick."
The end of the Watford to Brighton Line means there will be no direct services between Harrow and Gatwick Airport.
Anthony Wood, the chairman of Harrow Public Transport Users' Association, said the group would continue to fight for the Watford and Brighton line service to be reinstated.
He said: "We are not happy with the decision. We have fought this all the way through because we believe that Harrow residents deserve a through service. We never expected East Croydon as second best - it is far from it."
He will be sending letters to the Minister for Transport Ruth Kelly, Southern, Harrow MPs and London Mayor Boris Johnson.
Southern had originally said it needed to stop the service to give trains to a Thameslink route running from Blackfriars station. The company now says enough trains were found for that service but there is still a lack of passengers travelling to Gatwick and Brighton from Watford to justify the line.
The tracks will also be used for an increased Victoria to Brighton service, which will be an extension of the Gatwick Express starting in December this year.
A spokesman from Southern said: "The overall aim is to increase the space available on trains for the increasing numbers of passengers by getting the very best out of the existing infrastructure.
"This is done by creating timetables that serve the maximum amount of people possible at the correct times, and by intelligent use of the allocation of trains to meet this need."
The Milton Keynes to East Croydon service will stop at stations including Selhurst, West Brompton, Clapham Junction, Harrow and Wealdstone, Watford Junction, Tring and Leighton Buzzard.
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