GREATER ANGLIA have responded to recent complaints regarding customer issues.

Many had recently suffered cancellations and delays due to the hot weather and took to social media to vent their disappointments.

As a result, the train line have responded by with some explanation as to why so many commuters faced issues.

Greater Anglia responded: “During the heatwave in June, summer temperatures were above the average highs.

“Network Rail informed us that they would be imposing speed restrictions, to protect the overhead lines and we were unable to run the usual number of trains at lower speed so we had to cancel some services.

“We let customers know in advance so they were able to make informed choices about their journeys.

“If we had ignored the speed restrictions, there would have been a risk of far greater disruption as a train could have pulled down an overhead line which would have meant that no trains were able to run.”

Both Greater Anglia and National Rail have since apologised to customers for the disruptions caused during June and July due to the heat.

Greater Anglia went on to explain why trains face such issues in adverse weather conditions.

They said: “Trains, like cars on roads, have to adjust to weather conditions.

“The trains themselves tend to cope well with most weather, but they have to adapt to the conditions of the track or overhead lines.

“Autumn leaves, when compressed on the rails, make the tracks as slippery as black ice.

“Braking and acceleration times have to be extended to protect train wheels which can become damaged as the slippery conditions cause them to slide.

They went on to suggest what changes they plan to make in order to help the trains adjust to adverse weather conditions and reduce the number of delays in future.

“We are investing over £5 million in making our existing trains more reliable and this includes fitting modifications and upgrades to enable them to cope better with different weather conditions.

“We are replacing every single one of our trains with brand new trains from 2019-2020.

“These will be fitted with the latest technology so that they adapt better to all weather conditions.

“They will also be fitted with air conditioning for the comfort of customers.”

They also went on to suggest that these trains would carry 30% more seats following concerns over new housing in Southend.

Commuters had also shared their aggravations over the constant repairs being made following the news that they would face seven months of disruptions

National Rail responded by saying: “The work taking place on the Southend Victoria line is not repair work, it is a £46m project to replace all of the overhead line system with a new overhead line system that will be more reliable, particularly in hot weather.”

They went on to suggest that the new overhead line system will cut down on delays as they won’t sag in the heat and therefore won’t need protection by slowing down the trains.

They continued: “It is a huge project, which involves removing the old masts and overhead wires and installing new ones.

“This work can only be done when trains aren’t running and we do this at the weekend when fewer people travel.

“In order to get the work done faster we have introduced night time working from Monday to Thursday.”

Both Greater Anglia and National Rail reassured customers that improvements are being made which will be taking effect in the next couple of years.

COMMUTERS on trains suffered as a result of the blazing hot weather throughout June.

It added to a growing list of complaints that Greater Anglia and National Rail face on a daily basis.

Delays and cancellations are a huge issue for most customers, with a number of commuters complaining about slow running trains as a result of the heat.

Alternatively, commuters face similar outcomes during the autumn months as a result of leaves on the tracks and then of course during the winter months.

Passengers have also been made to wait for hours due to constant problems with signalling with many claiming that the equipment was out of date.

With midweek works now taking place, passengers are now concerned that the last train from Liverpool Street to Southend Victoria at 9.30pm.

This is particularly a problem for commuters who work late in London and therefore have to make alternative arrangements to get home.

Additional housing in Southend will be another issue that will need addressing when more people attempt to commute.