TRAIN bosses at Great Anglia have issued a formal apology to passengers who experienced severe delays after problems with overhead line. 

Passengers experienced five-hour delays, with some being told to fork out more than £40 in taxis between stations.

Others, who did not have cash, were forced to wait until after 10pm for the service to resume. 

Some passengers found their way back to Colchester by using the Stansted Express, from Liverpool Street, and buying a ticket on the National Express coach to Colchester. 

A company spokesman said: "We apologise to all customers affected by service disruption yesterday afternoon and evening.

"The problems were caused by overhead line problems between Romford and Shenfield, which affected all services between London Liverpool Street and Southend Victoria, Colchester, Ipswich and Norwich.

"Unfortunately, rail replacement bus and coach companies were unable to supply vehicles to enable a bus replacement service to be provided whilst the rail infrastructure was being repaired.

"However, tickets were accepted on C2C rail services, and TfL bus and London Underground services.

"A limited bus service was also in operation between Witham and Stansted Airport.

"Engineers worked as quickly as they could to repair the damage and we restored normal train services as soon as possible.

"Customers affected by yesterday's disruption are entitled to claim compensation through our Delay Repay scheme.

"They can submit their claims here."

Were you caught up in yesterday's disruption? Share your thoughts with ryan.jennings@nqe.com or call 01206 508478.