A campaign group fighting for better transport for users of an overcrowded London Overground route has welcomed the news that electric trains have been given safety approval by Network Rail.

The Barking – Gospel Oak Rail User Group hopes the state-of-the-art trains which feature air conditioning will be up and running in the coming weeks.

The line which serves the Walthamstow, Leyton and Leytonstone communities has been blighted by delays, cancellations and overcrowding in recent months.

Speaking after the new Class 710 trains were given the go-ahead, Glenn Wallis, secretary of the group, said: “Providing there are no further hitches, passengers could be riding in the first of the new trains in a couple of months.”

Last week’s approval comes 10 months after it was originally expected.

Each Class 710 has to achieve 2,000 miles fault-free running before it will be accepted by Transport for London’s operator, Arriva Rail London (ARL).

Once a train is accepted, it is then tested on routes to ensure there are no issues with the infrastructure.

The final stage is the training of drivers who will have to undergo a four-day course before being allowed to operate the electric trains.