Overcrowding on trains which has already led to fights and injuries in Waltham Forest could be set to continue for up to three years, according to a railway campaign group.

Commuters on the Overground Barking to Gospel Oak line have been experiencing a rush hour ‘crush’ every day as people cram their way onto trains.

Passenger growth data shows that the number of people using the line which stops in Leyton, Leytonstone and Walthamstow went up by almost 20 per cent from 2012 to 2014.

The Barking Gospel Oak Railway User Group (BGORUG) which has been calling for action for many years, now fears the solution offered by the government will take too long to implement.

In June 2013 Chancellor George Osborne announced cash would be released for the electrification of the Barking – Gospel Oak Line.

After that the ‘chronically overcrowded’ two-carriage diesel trains would be replaced with 4-coach electric trains.

New overhead wires should be finished by the end of 2016 and the new trains should arrive in 2017.

But, in late 2014, rumours started to circulate amongst expert rail commentators that Network Rail was having difficulties in completing electrification schemes on time.

Over the last twelve months Network Rail has cancelled at short notice four meetings arranged at BGORUG’s request to discuss the impact this may have on rail users on the BGO line.

TfL maintain that electrification will be delivered on time, but the projected delivery date for the new Barking – Gospel Oak and West Anglia trains has now slipped to mid 2018.

Glenn Wallis, BGORUG Secretary said: “The likelihood of Network Rail completing electrification of the line by mid 2017 is now said to be improbable.”

Promises of extra handrails on existing trains for standing passengers are also yet to materialise.

Mr Wallis said: “TfL are just complacently sitting on their hands saying ‘there is nothing to be done’ when that is patently not the case.

“Two other train operators have recently been able to source additional Turbostar trains like ours to deal with passenger growth. With a bit of persistence and ingenuity TfL and the rolling stock companies should be able to find one or two Turbostars or the Sprinter trains that used to run our services, now in the South West with First Great Western.

“Our passengers just cannot endure these intolerable travelling conditions for at least another three years, TfL have got to do something, now.”

A meeting has been organised to discuss overcrowding at Gnome House in Blackhorse Lane, Walthamstow on July 9.

Times are yet to be confirmed.