Frustrated rail users have hit out at Transport for London claiming they are being treated "worse than battery hens" due to repeated delays to a vital commuter line since it became part of the Overground network. 

There has been daily disruption on the line between Chingford and Liverpool Street since May 31, when TfL took over responsibility for services and promised a more reliable service. 

Sudden cancellations, delays and a lack of information during rush hour has prompted many customers to take to social media to vent their anger, with London Overground's Twitter account being bombarded with complaints. 

Commuter Victoria McKay has launched an online petition demanding TfL gets its act together and ensures its service is run efficiently. 

The petition states: "The standard of service on the lines recently taken over by London Underground has fallen to a level beyond unacceptable.   

"As commuters we are outraged by the drop in service the moment that TfL took over.  

"Trains are full to capacity as near as one stop away from the beginning of the line, so you are not likely to board if you are at Highams Park, Wood Street and no chance if you are at Bethnal Green or Hackney Downs.   

"Simply put battery hens would not be allowed to be transported in the conditions we are subjected to." 

Wayne Pocket, 44, of Cavendish Road in Highams Park, said he has never seen it so bad in 15 years, adding: "It has been an absolute nightmare since the day they (TfL) took over.  

"Yesterday morning a delayed train was made up of four carriages with everyone trying to squeeze on.  

"The overcrowding is dangerous.  

"There seems to be 101 staff in their nice orange uniforms on the platforms but the service is absolutely diabolical.  

"People are giving staff abuse at Highams Park station. I've never seen that level of aggression before.   

"I've stood more in the last week than I have in the last few years."  

Sandra Dibble, 46, has been travelling from Highams Park station for over 20 years and said she has never experienced such a "diabolical" service.  

She said: "It's absolutely diabolical and disgusting.  

"I thought new week, new start and its still madness and a complete mess. 

"You've got five cancelled train loads of people trying to get on four-carriage trains during peak times. 

"Every day between 4.30pm and 6pm there has been delays.  

"TfL have pulled out the dirtiest, dreggiest and nastiest trains from the rolling stock and we're all paying for a service we're not getting.  

"For some 20 years, I've had it pretty good getting and now I'm fighting a couple hundred people to get on a train." 

Here are some of the tweets from angry commuters, with many calling for the return of Greater Anglia.   

Here are some of the tweets from angry commuters, with many calling for the return of Greater Anglia.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TfL was contacted for a comment on Monday.