A rail user group is calling for an urgent meeting with Transport for London after commuters were left waiting for up to 45 minutes on platforms for the next service.

Barking to Gospel Oak Rail Users Group (BGORUG) said the “chaos” unfolded on Wednesday, August 29, as members of its committee met to discuss the ongoing situation on the Overground route.

The group claims there were 13 cancellations between 2.50pm and 11.15pm on the overcrowded route but TfL disputes this, saying there were only eight throughout the entire day.

The line, which runs through Walthamstow, Leyton and Leytonstone, is used by 10,000 passengers every weekday.

In a statement, BGORUG said: “At the height of the mayhem on what is supposed to be a 15 minute interval service, there was a 45 minute gap between trains.

“Hundreds of passengers were unable to board the few trains that were running and were left behind on platforms, many having to find other ways to get home.”

BGORUG believes the delays on Wednesday afternoon were caused by two trains breaking down.

TfL said it is working with the operator Arriva Rail London and Bombardier Transport to ensure maintenance work is carried out to make the trains as reliable as possible.

BGORUG said it is keen to work with TfL to explore ways to make the peak-period services more reliable, perhaps by withdrawing some off-peak trains.

Members are concerned that the seven two-carriage diesel trains, due to be withdrawn from the route in November, may not be replaced by new four-carriage electric trains.

The state-of-the art trains which feature air conditioning have already been delayed by eight months.

A spokesman for TfL confirmed it had received a request from the group to meet and said it will contact them.

Rory O’Neill, TfL’s general manager of London Overground, said: “We thank customers for their continued patience while we prepare to introduce new trains on the electrified Gospel Oak to Barking line by November.

“These will replace the old diesel models, double capacity and help to improve London’s air quality.

“We had hoped to continue to operate the additional peak time services, but due to reliability issues with the existing diesel trains this has not been possible.

“We do appreciate this means that some timetabled services may be busier than normal but we continue to work closely with the operator, Arriva Rail London, on ways to ensure our customers receive the best service possible ahead of the new trains being introduced.”