Frustration over train delays

COMMUTERS faced disruptions to their journeys again today after a broken down freight train caused more misery.

National Express East Anglia trains between Ipswich and London Liverpool Street were delayed by up to an hour because of the problems in the Marks Tey area.

The accident, which happened at around 5.30am, meant trains could not pass in either direction, leaving some travellers with long waits on trains before they reached their destinations.

At Ipswich station passengers were frustrated with yet more delays after overrunning engineering work caused chaos twice already this year.

Aaron Eaton said: “It's not every day but it does happen quite a lot - so much so that you get used to delays after a while.

“I'm going to be late for work but it is not unexpected.

“It seems to be getting worse.”

Senthil Kumar said: “I'm frustrated and I'm going to be late.

“I travel regularly and it often happens. It seemed to be alright in February but the problems have come back and it is very frustrating.”

And Christine Hall added: “I hope I'll be on time because I left leeway because you never know when delays will happen.

“I tend to use my car but I'm going in to central London so I thought the train would be better. But now there is talk of delays of about 45 minutes.”

A spokesman for National Express East Anglia said passengers would be able to claim compensation for delayed journeys.

He added: “We apologise to anyone that has been affected by the delays. It has been very frustrating because there have been some complications in the freight company trying to move the train.”

Are you frustrated by train delays between Ipswich and London? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.