COMMUTERS vented their anger after they were plunged into travel chaos last night with hours of train delays and more than a dozen cancellations following signalling problems and a fatality.

A person died at Witham station after being hit by a train – and signalling problems at London Liverpool Street led to severe delays to passengers travelling home to the region during rush hour.

Frustrated commuter Stuart Jackson said: “The service is disgraceful.

“The disruption times they are giving are wrong. I have been delayed at least 30 minutes every day this week.”

Train operator Greater Anglia reported the death at Witham at 5.45pm. The line was closed by police for about 45 minutes before reopening at 6.30pm.

A Greater Anglia spokesman also confirmed London Liverpool Street experienced signalling problems from 5pm, causing a limited service through Shenfield.

The spokesman added Network Rail was investigating the problem, which had caused “hours of delays” at three of the main Liverpool Street platforms servicing the region.

He said: “There have been severe delays lasting more than an hour in some cases but we are now catching up with our services.

“It is no consolation for people travelling home and we apologise for this.”

Normal service had still not resumed at 9.30pm last night.

Imogen Dempsey, who commutes three days a week from London to Marks Tey, said the service had deteriorated since the London Olympics.

“They were given a target during the Olympics but since then the service has gone through the floor. There are delays after delays after delays.

“It puts you under pressure from your employers, and travelling home it’s even worse – people have children to look after and have appointments at hospitals.

“It’s just a huge waste of everyone’s time and money.”

Ken Suttling said on Twitter: “I can’t begin to tell you how angry I am over the way the travelling public has been treated by you these last few weeks. Your appalling service has finally made me decide to retire. You’ve finally beaten me down. Congratulations.”