A COMMUTER says trains to London have become so busy he has seen fellow passengers suffering panic attacks and hyperventilating.

The Gazette revealed earlier this month hownearly one in five morning commuters to London Liverpool Street have to stand.

Colchester commuter Tim Woodgett claims the situation has become even worse in the past month because train operator Greater Anglia has reduced morning trains by one carriage while they are refurbished Mr Woodgett, 35, of Colchester Road, Ardleigh, said: “It is having a direct effect on the safety and health of passengers.

“I have seen people have panic attacks due to the overcrowding and people fainting due to the heat and stress of having been standing for over an hour.

“Other passengers then have to look after ill people as the trains are so packed the conductor cannot get down the carriages.”

Mr Woodgett said having one fewer carriage meant capacity had gone down by 100 people.

The project manager added: “When I have asked Greater Anglia staff why the trains are constantly short during the busiest times of day, I am told ‘because the carriages are being refurbished’.

“This isn’t a Third World country, but we have a Third World train service, for which I pay over £5,000 a year and, quite frankly, we don’t care about a fresh lick of paint or whatever they are doing with the carriages.

“Customers are miserable and this is at a time when passenger numbers are growing and more seats and carriages are required.”

Mr Woodgett has complained to Greater Anglia, but has not received a response.

A Greater Anglia spokesman said: “The carriages that form our Intercity services are currently going through a planned maintenance programme, which is required to be done as part of the leasing arrangements to maintain vehicle reliability.

“The work comprises a mechanical overhaul, maintenance and external repaint.

“We apologise for the inconvenience caused while this work is ongoing and we would like to reassure our customers that we are working to minimise the impact this work has on them.

“We are currently finalising a plan to bring in more replacement cover vehicles.”