More misery and delays for train passengers

There has been more morning misery for train travellers with signalling problems and overrunning engineering work causing delays.

One of the areas affected was East Anglia where passengers have been particularly badly hit by a series of rush-hour problems in recent weeks.

Today's East Anglia delays were caused by a signalling problem near Stowmarket in Suffolk which meant Greater Anglia trains were being delayed by up to 60 minutes between Norwich/Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich. Words: PA

Disgruntled passenger Barney McCarthy tweeted: "Greater Anglia. Have you guys knocked off for Christmas early? Train has been late every day this week."

Paul Brown tweeted: "Surprise surprise. Greater Anglia have done it again. Delays and short train formations. Why does this keep happening?!"

John Cronin wrote: "Greater Anglia. Now been sitting on the 6.48 for 1hr 12 mins waiting to leave Norwich. Why are you not providing buses to Ipswich?"

Tom Porter said: "Greater Anglia. Service a total disgrace again this morning. Delays and short form trains. Why can't you get your act together?"

Yesterday those travelling towards Gatwick Airport by train were delayed by problems at Clapham Junction in south London and at Purley in Surrey.

Today Gatwick-bound passengers were held up by overrunning engineering works in the Redhill area of Surrey which caused disruption to trains between Gatwick and East Croydon/Reigate.

Further west, a signalling problem near Warminster in Wiltshire led to journeys being delayed by up to 60 minutes between Salisbury and Westbury.

Greater Anglia said: "Owing to a fault with the signalling system between Ipswich and Stowmarket, all lines are blocked. Currently, this fault means that trains are unable to run in both directions between Stowmarket and Ipswich.

"Customers travelling between Norwich and Ipswich are strongly advised not to travel, and to delay their journey until later today."

One traveller, tweeting as Surf Tide, wrote: "Greater Anglia. Your continued poor service is just pathetic. I'd be ashamed to work for such a customer-unfriendly company. Truly rubbish!"

Lisa Elmer said: "Last day physically in the office before Xmas and I'm missing that and the Xmas do because there's no Greater Anglia trains to get me there!"

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