COMMUTERS spent three million minutes, 5,000 hours and five and a half years delayed by a section of rail line which will be used by Crossrail.

The first Elizabeth Line train arrived in Ilford for testing last week and will carry its first passengers on the Transport for London (TfL) route from May and in stages until December 2019.

The track currently takes people as far as Liverpool Street but the new line will connect Ilford, Manor Park and Forest Gate with the City of London and the West End.

Figures, revealed by the London Conservatives, show the delays were blamed on everything from “passengers getting off and on” to “missing or late staff” from May 9 to November 9, 2016.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

London Assembly member Keith Prince said: “Keith Prince said: “These figures paint a worrying picture for the launch of Crossrail on this line later this year.

“Train delays will always occur but the frequency and types of issues facing TfL Rail are largely preventable.

“Londoners should not be held up by trivial issues such as sunlight on a signal, lost luggage, or missing staff.

“They may seem like minutes to TfL officials, but to the hundreds of people being delayed on each train they add up. A decade of passenger time could be wasted every year completely unnecessarily.

“What is most concerning is this exact set of track is to become a large part of Crossrail. The Mayor needs to push TfL to resolve these issues and ensure the Crossrail fulfils its potential to reduce congestion in London.”

The £15billion Crossrail construction project is Europe’s largest and is set to relieve congestion across the capital.

But it has been a hugely controversial process and people have raised concerns businesses affected by building works have had “no help”.

Demetrios Papi, who has owned Kristi’s Shoe Repairs in Ilford Station for 25 years, will be evicted to make way for the station upgrade.

More than 1,000 people have signed a petition to stop this from happening – but TfL and Crossrail have not offered him a new space in the station.

He said: “Every day, at least a dozen people come in and ask to sign. I’ll let the petition run because I have to hope there’s a glimmer of chance they’ll change their mind and offer me something.

“I’m still hoping they’ll reconsider. This is a cry for help again. They’ve offered me relocation costs but that sounds better than what it is. I dont want to lose my customer base.”

Commuters and tube users have raised concerns about the negative impact this could have on the community.

Lesley Dickinson said: “Small businesses should be encouraged and not swept away by the Elizabeth Line, which is swallowing up the local character of the area.”

Ilford resident, Emma Hurley, added: “I am excited for Crossrail, but hate to see this cleansing of our area.”

Qudrat Khan, said: “As great as Crossrail will be in terms of commuting to the city quicker than ever before, it would be a real shame to have that come at the expense of local businesses who have poured their heart and soul into their companies and served the local communities for years.”

But many say they felt “excited” after learning the new Elizabeth Line train arrived at the station this week.

Marc Adams, said: “I am so looking forward to riding on this new cross-London service. What an epic feat of engineering.”

Oscar Kugblenu, added: “Really looking forward to when the Elizabeth Line opens now. It’s going to make such a noticeable difference to so many things locally.”

The route will connect 40 stations from Heathrow in the west to Shenfield in the east on its completion, and twelve services will be scheduled from Ilford Station into central London each hour.

The first trains, including the one being tested at Ilford, are seven carriages long, but all Elizabeth Line trains will have nine carriages when the line officially opens in December 2019.

Ilford will be the testing base for all the new Class 345 trains, which were built in Bombardier, Derby.

Cllr Emma Best, shadow cabinet member for employment, skills and fairness, said: “I am pleased to have been able to play my part in the new Elizabeth line.

“It is very exciting to get closer to opening as the first passenger train arrives at Ilford.”

Howard Smith, operations director of TfL Rail, said: “Since we took over services between Liverpool Street and Shenfield in May 2015, performance on this route has improved significantly. Delays have been cut by a third and TfL Rail is now one of the country’s top-rated rail operators.

“Building on this success, there will be brand new trains introduced, alongside improvements to infrastructure ahead of Elizabeth line services beginning from December next year.

“Network Rail is currently undertaking an extensive programme of railway upgrades including renewing ageing track and overhead wiring. The first of the new, higher capacity, walk-through trains with air-conditioning and improved customer information is currently undergoing testing on the TfL Rail route, and will enter service from May this year.”