The meeting was being held in response to severe concerns over the extended journey times residents will have to contend with if the new timetable is approved.
Mrs Bottomley is concerned about the impact of the new timetable on what she describes as the Farnham to Waterloo "transport lifeline".
Due to come into effect on December 11 this year, the new timetable has been condemned as an "unacceptable" offering as it will mean a reduction in off-peak service which, coupled with restrictions imposed by single-track working between Alton and Farnham, will result in a significant increase in journey times.
In future trains now taking 64 minutes will take up to 82 minutes to complete the journey – the slowdown being due to a decision by South West Trains (SWT) to schedule most trains to stop at Surbiton, West Byfleet and Brookwood.
However, there will still be fast through trains running during a reduced rush-hour period between 6 am and 8-15 am and from 5 pm to 6-30 pm in the evening.
Despite this, the news has resulted in the raising of a petition by commuters demanding retention of the current level of service.
The Herald has received a mounting pile of copied correspondence between disgruntled commuters and SWT, complaining about the proposed reduction in service and in particular the decision to axe Bentley as a stopping place for many of the trains.
Passengers have stated they fail to understand the logic behind a decision to cut them out of the loop for the sake of two to three minutes – a move they say will put additional pressure on roads and on an already stretched SWT car parking provision.
Commuter John Bradsteet said he can see no logic in the decision when some trains in the afternoons bypass Bentley only to sit for an hour-and-a-half at Alton.
Another commuter, John Turner, who often returns home after 8 pm, notes that several of the trains he regularly uses will no longer stop at Bentley, a fact which will cause "considerable inconvenience".
"Stopping the train at Bentley to let a dozen passengers off takes two or three minutes at most – what possible reason can there be for withdrawing this facility?" he asked.
Speaking of a "very substantial deterioration in the service" to be provided to those who use the Farnham line, Jonathan Clare pointed out that the new "self-styled" peak hour will bear no relation to the hours those who work in London have to keep, especially in the evenings.
And, while sorry for the poor rail services suffered by those who live on the outskirts of London, he pointed out that they have public transport alternatives which long-distance commuters do not.
It is one of the points made by Virginia Bottomley who, in a statement to the press this week, pointed out that a vast number of local people depend on the Farnham line to commute to work, school or college.
"At a time when there is huge pressure on our roads, and Farnham frequently faces gridlock during the rush hour, it is essential that people can depend on a reliable and effective train service that serves their requirements and helps to protect the environment for us all."
She continued: "Over the years as MP, I have consistently worked closely with the Alton Line Users' Association.
"They do a great job for the community. We have campaigned tirelessly together.
"As a result of their efforts a recent triumph has been the Alton line redesignation as a 'main line', rather than the less important 'outer suburban' designation.
"There has also been a great welcome for the better performing rolling stock.
"But," she warned, "while people fully appreciate the financial restrictions faced by SWT, it is deeply disappointing that the company now intends, with its December 2004 timetable, to add additional stops in both directions, which will add eight to 15 minutes to the current journey time.
"Equally worrying is the plan, in some cases, to delete the existing stop at Clapham Junction.
"This vastly adds flexibility to London commuters."
In conclusion Mrs Bottomley said: "Together we will plan our next steps to secure this vital link for our constituents."