A passenger group representing commuters who travel daily from Oxford to London today welcomed the arrival of a new managing director at First Great Western.

Alison Forster, the managing director of FGW, has been moved to a new post following the company's poor performance and Andrew Haines, the group's UK Rail managing director, will take over daily operations.

Ms Forster has presided over poor punctuality and a row about overcrowding, which led to a fares strike by a small group of passengers in the West Country.

She will now become Rail Safety and Performance Director at First Group.

Last December, commuters formed Ox Rail Action after First Great Western cancelled two early morning services from Oxford to Paddington Following campaigning on the platforms and on the trains, the services were reinstated and the group's leaders have been demanding improved services ever since.

Local MPs including Ed Vaizey and Andrew Smith also became involved in the campaign, and lobbied the company's directors.

Spokesman Zahra Akkerhuys said: "We are relieved that Alison has moved from her post.

"We did have constructive talks with her in the past regarding the punctuality of services."

Ox Rail Action leaders are continuing to hold talks with FGW's managers regarding new timetable changes due in December.

Earlier this year, FGW said it was working to improve its service, but that it was not breaching franchise conditions.

And in June a spokesman for FGW said it was "aware our performance has been poor and we have already apologised for this".

Moir Lockhead, FirstGroup's Chief Executive, said: "In recent months, Alison and her team have been addressing the challenges faced by the new franchise and their efforts have resulted in improvements in our performance."

He also said Mr Haines had helped deliver "sustained improvements" at First TransPennine Express, First ScotRail and First Capital Connect, the group's newest franchise.

"At each franchise punctuality and reliability has reached over 90 per cent in recent months," said Mr Lockhead.

He added said that FGW and Network Rail were investing nearly £1bn to improve overall performance in the region.