Mayor of London Boris Johnson has admitted there will be a sub-standard service on a line recently taken over by TfL for two more years, despite previous promises that efficiency would improve.

Commuters relying on the line between Chingford and Liverpool Street via Walthamstow have faced regular last-minute cancellations, delays and overcrowding due to shorter rush hour trains since May 31, when it was one of three routes that became part of the Overground network.

Boris Johnson was challenged on the problems by London Assembly member for Enfield and Haringey, Joanne McCartney, during Mayor's Question Time at City Hall.

He responded: "I understand (the situation) and I am keenly aware of this.   

"We did the big launch up in Enfield and I tried to explain as passionately as I could to everybody that they weren’t going to see miracles for a while and big change would take a while.

"I can assure you that we are working flat-out to make sure that we deliver a better service.

"I’m confident that in a couple of years’ time you will see the same sorts of improvement that you saw with the metro service and other parts of the Overground.

"I am going to put my hands up here and say I am fully aware that there has been some teething problems.    

"It will get better, we are on it.

"Our objective is to invest in these stations, invest in these services and invest in new trains."   

Fears were also raised that thousands of passengers affected by the problems could be missing out on compensation as TfL is updating the online system to incorporate the three new lines.

The mayor agreed with Ms McCartney that passengers at every station should to be fully informed on how to claim compensation.

Ms McCartney, said: "A reduction in carriages from eight to four is unacceptable.

"The resulting overcrowding and delays has left passengers understandably annoyed. TfL need to repair the carriages to provide eight-car trains as promised with urgency." 

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

London Assembly member Joanne McCartney said she was "disappointed" to receive so many complaints from residents