Rail bosses have issued an apology to commuters for poor service and disruption.

In a joint statement the managing director of Abellio Greater Anglia, Jamie Burles and the area director of Network Rail, Richard Schofield, admit “recent levels of service reliability and punctuality have fallen well below expectation.”

This follows passengers at Chingford yesterday being told to the service to Liverpool Street was suspended all day due to a damaged power line and to find an alternative route.

The pair added: “Our immediate efforts are focussed on improving infrastructure and signalling equipment reliability in and around Liverpool Street Station.”

The rail chiefs also claimed infrastructure and rolling stock failings problems were exacerbated by recent hot weather.