Transport for London has announced that the eastern end of the Central Line will be reducing peak-time services as part of major rail updates.

Between Debden, Theydon Bois and Epping underground stations, two additional services per hour will be cut to provide major modernisation to the TfL line.

This means in total, only nine trains per hour will run from Debden and Epping will be down from ten to eight services per hour.

In addition, loop services between Hainault and Woodford are also being reduced to a shuttle service three times and hour with less carriages.

Old train motors new CCTV cameras and wheelchair bays will be added as part of the £380 million circa investment of TfL Central Line Improvement Programme.

Speaking about the tube updates, Independent Councillor and Loughton Roding ward, Stephen Murray, said: “This will have a major impact on Loughton commuters and beyond’.

“Simply not acceptable to just announce it without any proper advance consultation with Epping Forest District Council.

“On the past performance of TfL they are in my opinion highly unlikely to change their stance but we need to summon them to a scrutiny meeting as soon as possible to try and mitigate the worst of the impact.”

According to TfL, the upgrades may not be fully completed for several years while maintaining services continue to run as frequently as possible.

Despite not having a fixed completion date, the upgrades will mean fewer broken down trains, more reliable services and improved audio and visual passenger information.

Conservative District Councillor Holly Whitbread said: “Without consultation, TfL have announced a significant reduction in services at peak times between Epping to Debden. “This will have a hugely negative effect on the already stretched Tube service running at these stations.

“Usage is due to grow in coming years and the reduction will make services busier and more uncomfortable. This decision is unacceptable.”

TfL are now facing pressure to scrap their multimillion programme after a petition created by residents has gained more than 7,000 signatures.

A TfL spokesman said: “We have tried hard to minimise the impact to customers but recognise that some people will need to amend their journeys while we complete this important work.”

TfL said they will continue to provide further information about services changes in January via email updates and meet the manager sessions in some stations.