OVERGROUND passengers have slammed Transport for London for prolonging chronic overcrowding by cutting trains. The Barking to Gospel Oak Line User Group is furious after extra trains failed to appear in its new timetable. Group secretary Richard Pout said

OVERGROUND passengers have slammed Transport for London for prolonging chronic overcrowding by cutting trains.

The Barking to Gospel Oak Line User Group is furious after extra trains failed to appear in its new timetable.

Group secretary Richard Pout said: "We started pressing TfL Rail and its operator London Overground for additional trains to relieve overcrowding over two years ago. We even produced our own timetable showing how the peak 20-minute train frequency could be stepped up to every 15 minutes during the busiest periods.

"TfL Rail has done nothing but make empty 'jam tomorrow' promises while the overcrowding has now reached chronic levels. We finally thought our proposals had been adopted - only to find them dropped by TfL Rail at the last minute."

In Network Rail's December 2009 to May 2010 national timetable, trains on the line were shown as being stepped up to every 15 minutes during the busiest times from Monday. But TfL's new timetable makes no mention of them and even reveals that some trains will be axed.

A TfL spokesman said: "During major works on the Gospel Oak to Stratford route, we have had to reduce trains on the Gospel Oak to Barking Line to accommodate freight services we must share the lines with. The situation will be relieved in June when we will be able to operate four trains an hour during the peaks. We apologise for the inconvenience and ask passengers to bear with us while we complete these necessary works.